This is our eighth installment of our focus on the constant change of the landscape of America. It’s very obviously far from the last installment as culture shifts, new technologies, and products/services are introduced daily. If you’d like to review previous installments at any time, simply click on “Going, Going Gone” in the Categories column on the right or at the top of the post above the title.
Now let’s take a look at a few of the latest additions to this ever-growing list.
The Rainbow Room
The famed Rainbow Room, New York’s legendary dinner and dancing venue—known across the world for its majestic eagle’s-nest view of the city, and once synonymous with glitz and gastronomy, closed its restaurant in January because of the weak economy. The ritzy special-occasion spot opened in 1934 in New York overlooking midtown Manhattan from high above the tourist-attracting Rockefeller Center skating rink and was known world-wide.
Polaroid Traditional Instant Film
Polaroid introduced its first instant camera in 1948. Its revenue peaked in 1991 at nearly $3 billion. However, by 2001, the company had gone into bankruptcy. The increased popularity of digital cameras led Polaroid to plan for the exit of traditional film in all formats and sizes as of December of 2008.
The Kinko’s Name
Kinko’s is the world’s leading provider of document solutions and business services. It was founded in 1970 by Paul Orfalea whose college nickname was “Kinko” because of his kinky (curly) hair. He later sold out to FedEx in 2003 for $1.3 billion, and the name became FedEx Kinko’s. FedEx recently announced that it will drop the name Kinko’s and will be known as FedEx Office.
DHL in the U.S.
DHL, a German global shipping giant originally founded in the U.S., is one of the world’s most famous courier services that, at one time, was a strong competitor to UPS and FedEx. As of January of this year, DHL stopped shipping within the U.S., closing all of its 18 hubs.
Arena Football League (AFL)
Founded in 1987 as an American Football indoor league, this unique venture grew in popularity through the years. However, that same growth was accompanied by greatly increased expenses and debt which led to the league announcing that it was suspending operations for 2009. Insiders predict that the AFL will not return.
Diet Cherry Chocolate Dr Pepper
Now here’s a combination that sounds as though it simply can’t miss. Think about it—everyone loves chocolate, cherry has always been a favorite, Dr Pepper is a national classic and the word “diet” erases any concern that the chocolate and/or the cherry may be a threat to your weight concerns. Put them all together and what do you get? Apparently a limited edition flavor introduced in 2007 and discontinued in 2008.
Stay tuned for our next installment of culture shifts, new technologies, and products/services which are destined to be going, going, gone.
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