Ready or not, the holiday shopping season is upon us. Though online orders have taken a big bite out of the in-person retail experience, stores and shops will still be plenty crowded.

And few folks will even know a quiet, unassuming genius played a huge role in making shopping a little easier.

Sylvan Goldman was just like ambitious businessmen everywhere. He was always on the lookout for ways to take a good idea and make it better; then take better and make it the best.

Born into a Jewish family in Indian Territory (modern Oklahoma) in 1898, he was raised in his immigrant father’s dry goods store, where he learned the family business. Though he only stayed in school till the 8th Grade, he nevertheless had a keen imagination and a clear head for business, eventually finding his life’s ca

See Full Page