Today in Small Business History

Today in Small Business History – April 8

April 8 honors fire escapes, fast mail, a code for commerce, the rise of Amgen, and the legacy of Mars candy—all of which shape how small businesses scale, protect, and innovate.

WBN News Global

Apr 08, 2025 - 1 min read

1. 1766: First Fire Escape Patent Issued

On April 8, 1766, the first fire escape—a wicker basket on a pulley system—was patented in England. Though simple, this innovation paved the way for commercial safety regulations and architectural design standards that still impact retail, office, and hospitality spaces today.

2. 1860: The Pony Express Gallops Into Action

The legendary Pony Express launched its 10-day mail delivery service from Missouri to California on this day. A logistical breakthrough for its time, the service set new expectations for speed and reliability—core values now carried forward in modern courier, ecommerce, and fulfillment operations.

3. 1959: COBOL Programming Language Is Created

April 8 marks the birth of COBOL, one of the first programming languages explicitly built for business use. Designed by a team led by Grace Hopper, COBOL became a foundation for data processing in finance, payroll, and accounting—systems still used by banks and institutions today.

4. 1980: Amgen Is Founded

On this day in 1980, Applied Molecular Genetics—known today as Amgen—was incorporated in California. The biotech giant's rise reflects the growing importance of life sciences and innovation hubs, providing a blueprint for health tech and bioscience startups.

5. 1935: Frank C. Mars Passes Away

Founder of Mars, Incorporated, Frank C. Mars died on April 8, 1935. From humble beginnings, he grew a confectionery empire that remains family-owned today. His story is a sweet reminder of legacy-building, product innovation, and scaling from kitchen to global brand

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

#Small Business History #COBOL #Amgen #Mars Candy #Pony Express #Business Innovation