Today in Small Business History – April 28th

By: Dr. Eathan Fairbanks I Small Business History I April 28, 2025

🕰️ April 28: World Day for Safety at Work begins, Japan’s Nintendo files Donkey Kong trademark, UK’s Barclays launches mobile payments, IKEA opens in Dubai, and Samsung unveils the world’s thinnest TV.

1. World Day for Safety and Health at Work Established (2003)

On April 28, 2003, the International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day for Safety and Health at Work to promote safe, dignified workplaces worldwide.

✅ Why It Matters:
For small businesses, protecting workers isn’t just ethical—it boosts productivity, reduces costs, and strengthens company culture across industries and borders.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: The ILO designated April 28, 2003, the first official World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
📚 Source: International Labour Organization (ILO)

2. Nintendo Files Trademark for Donkey Kong in Japan (1983)

On April 28, 1983, Nintendo filed a trademark for Donkey Kong in Japan, protecting one of its most iconic game characters and laying the foundation for one of the world’s most profitable intellectual properties.

✅ Why It Matters:
Nintendo's brand success shows the enduring value of strong character IP and smart global licensing, offering a model for digital creators and storytellers today.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Nintendo filed the Donkey Kong trademark in Japan on April 28, 1983.
📚 Source: Japan Patent Office; Nintendo Archives

3. Barclays Launches Mobile Payment in UK (2012)

On April 28, 2012, Barclays became the first major UK bank to roll out Pingit, a mobile app that allows users to send and receive payments via smartphones—well ahead of the fintech boom.

✅ Why It Matters:
This innovation marked a leap forward in peer-to-peer finance, giving small businesses an early glimpse of the mobile payment revolution now standard worldwide.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Barclays launched Pingit on April 28, 2012, pioneering mobile payments in the UK.
📚 Source: Barclays Newsroom

4. IKEA Opens First Store in the Middle East (Dubai, 1991)

On April 28, 1991, IKEA opened its first Middle East store in Dubai, adapting its flat-pack, value-focused retail model to a global market with different tastes and cultural needs.

✅ Why It Matters:
IKEA’s expansion into Dubai proved how localization fuels successful international retail growth—an essential principle for small businesses going global.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: IKEA opened its first store in the Middle East in Dubai on April 28, 1991.
📚 Source: IKEA Corporate Timeline

5. Samsung Unveils World’s Thinnest TV (2009)

On April 28, 2009, Samsung introduced the Luxia LED TV, which was just over 1 inch thick. At the time, it was the world’s thinnest and reshaped home tech aesthetics.

✅ Why It Matters:
Samsung’s design-forward innovation shows how investing in bold factors and sleek UX can set your product apart, even in saturated markets.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Samsung debuted its Luxia LED line on April 28, 2009, featuring ultra-slim technology.
📚 Source: Samsung Global Newsroom

📚 What This Means for Business:

April 28 stands as a testament to global business evolution—from workplace safety and IP protection to fintech and flat-pack retail. It reminds entrepreneurs that innovation isn’t just about invention—it’s about caring for people, adapting to cultures, and always thinking one step ahead.

✍️ Dr. Ethan Fairbanks, M.B.H. (Master of Business History) DrEthanFairbanks@wbnn.news

🎯 Tags: #Small Business History #Global Innovation #Nintendo #Trademark #Barclays Pingit #Samsung Design #IKEA Expansion #World Work Safety