Today in Small Business History – April 11th

🕰️ April 11: Starbucks’ global expansion, Apple’s LiDAR innovation, and IBM’s storage revolution highlight business growth and technology shifts that began.

1. Starbucks Opens First Store in Canada (1987)

On April 11, 1987, Starbucks opened its first international store in Vancouver, Canada. This expansion began Starbucks’ global footprint and set the stage for the company’s international dominance.

✅ Why It Matters:
Starbucks’ successful expansion into international markets offered a blueprint for small businesses aiming to scale globally. By adapting its business model to local cultures, Starbucks demonstrated how international growth can drive long-term business success.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Starbucks opened its first store outside the United States in Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 11, 1987.
📚 Source: Starbucks History ( Corporate Site ).

2. U.S. Patent Granted for Tricycle (1885)

On April 11, 1885, the United States granted a patent for the tricycle, an innovation that provided a safer and more efficient means of personal transportation. This development paved the way for future designs of bicycles and small, powered vehicles.

✅ Why It Matters:
The tricycle’s introduction highlighted the importance of improving mobility and safety, a lesson for modern entrepreneurs who continue to innovate in transportation and mobility solutions.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: A U.S. patent for a tricycle was granted on April 11, 1885, enhancing the personal mobility landscape.
📚 Source: U.S. Patent Database

3. Apple Announces iPad Pro with LiDAR Scanner (2020)

On April 11, 2020, Apple announced the iPad Pro equipped with a LiDAR scanner, introducing augmented reality (AR) capabilities and enhancing digital creativity. This innovation brought new possibilities for architecture, design, and gaming industries.

✅ Why It Matters:
The introduction of LiDAR technology highlighted the potential for AR and 3D mapping in business applications. Small businesses in industries like real estate, retail, and design can now leverage AR to enhance customer experiences.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Apple introduced the iPad Pro with LiDAR scanner technology on April 11, 2020, ushering in new applications for augmented reality.
📚 Source: Apple Newsroom

4. Civil Rights Act of 1968 Signed into Law (1968)

On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968 into law, prohibiting discrimination in housing and providing protection for civil rights activists. This landmark legislation marked a significant step toward equality and fairness in American society.

✅ Why It Matters:
The Civil Rights Act of 1968 reinforced the importance of diversity, inclusion, and fairness, guiding small businesses in building ethical and inclusive work environments.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968 into law on April 11, 1968, making it illegal to discriminate in housing and other areas.
📚 Source: National Archives

5. IBM Introduces CompactFlash Storage Format (1994)

On April 11, 1994, IBM introduced the CompactFlash storage format, a pioneering step in portable data storage. This technology paved the way for using removable storage in digital cameras, PDAs, and other portable devices.

✅ Why It Matters:
CompactFlash technology transformed how data is stored and transferred, offering small businesses an affordable and reliable way to manage digital information. It laid the foundation for innovations in storage technology that benefit businesses today.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: IBM introduced the CompactFlash storage format on April 11, 1994, revolutionizing digital storage for portable devices.
📚 Source: IBM Archives

📚 What This Means for Business:

April 11th showcases the power of innovation and adaptation across industries. From Starbucks’ global expansion and Apple’s introduction of LiDAR technology to IBM's evolution of portable storage, these milestones demonstrate how businesses can thrive by embracing new technologies, expanding globally, and advocating for inclusivity and fairness.

Dr. Ethan Fairbanks, M.B.H. (Master of Business History)

Tags: #Small Business History #Tech Innovation #Starbucks Legacy #LiDAR Tech #Civil Rights Act #Compact Flash #Business Milestones