Out of 26 million Texans, you may have an idea to change the world. You may have had several ideas to change the world. But only a tiny minority of you pushed through the U.S. Patent office from application to successful patent. We've seen Texans change the world many times over. Jack Kilby did it with Texas Instruments in 1958 with the integrated circuit, causing the start of the digital revolution, which, in part, is why you can read these words over your electronic device.
Over the last few years, Texas Business has brought its feature: Texas Business Patent of the Day. This list is of the ones that were either extremely clever, odd or strange. One thing becomes apparent from these patents and the patent that runs daily in Texas Business—Texans have a unique mind set.
Though the history of the Corn Dog is disputed, the State Fair of Texas claims to have introduced the Corny Dog sometime between 1938 and 1942. As a paean to that invention that now sits in the freezer section of every grocery store in the southwest, here are the fried foods the State Fair of Texas has introduced, or tried to introduce, in the last seven years.
Dead Texas musicians live on every time you hear their songs. Their songs play everywhere, so the dead Texas musicians appear to be immortal. Here's the short list.
Don't get caught up with John Wayne religion. For one thing, he's not Texan. He's in some fine movies involving Texas, most notably The Searchers, but none of his movies can make the best cut of Texas movies. Here's the short list.
Unsung Texas Business Journalists Mention that one is a reporter, and there's a spark of interest. Mention that one is a business news reporter, and watch the eyes glaze over. Except to the players, business and economic journalists are unappreciated. While many wish to become sports reporters when they grow up, most do not realize that business journalists cover the Real Game. Mention that reporter covers business, and watch the eyes glaze over. A toast to these below on the short list and the numerous unnamed ones slogging away. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Mexican Food: The Short List No, we're not going to debate the difference between Tex-Mex, Mex-Tex, Mexican and Texican food. Just know these establishments are the pinnacle of Texas Mexican fare. No brag, just fact. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Burgers Texas Burgers. . While a hamburger is merely sustenance and gratification for a meal, the memory a good Texas burger can give rise to Homeric odes. The short list. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Texas Business reports: DALLAS—7-Eleven Inc. completed the transaction with ExxonMobil to acquire retail interests in 51 North Texas sites.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 51 sites, all of which are in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area, include two unused parcels of land.
The majority of locations will be rebranded as 7-Eleven stores. The stations will retain the Exxon gasoline brand, allowing consumers to continue to purchase Exxon fuels and use their ExxonMobil credit cards and Speedpass devices.
“This acquisition fits well with our aggressive growth strategy,” said 7-Eleven vice president Robbie Radant in a prepared statement. “We met our goal of opening 650 stores in 2011, and with this acquisition 2012 is off to a great start.”
7-Eleven will start remodeling and rebranding the locations soon, with the bulk of the work anticipated to be completed by the end of 2012.
Each location will carry 7-Eleven signature products, such as Slurpee and Big Gulp beverages, fresh food and grill offerings, along with standard convenience-store items. The stores also will be available for franchise.
“7-Eleven has extended job offers to qualified ExxonMobil employees who are affected by this acquisition, and we welcome them to the 7-Eleven team,” Radant said.
Currently, 7-Eleven Inc.. operates and franchises 340 stores in Texas with 220 in greater DFW. The company has added 12 7-Eleven stores in North Texas since the start of 2011, of which 10 were in the DFW area.
The Texas News Scrawl is a handy reference to stories Texas Business recommends from other news sources. Some of the stories that Texas Business currently suggests include: American Airlines continues to shed jobs; Chemical Safety Board shut out of West probe by ATF; America’s greatest threat: Unsafe work conditions; The West News proves the value of a great weekly newspaper in a community torn up with grief and chaos; Chinese investors checking out Texas, Austin; Texas makes bounce house operators carry liability coverage, but not plants like West Fertilizer; bSpaceX’s Grasshopper leaping to NM spaceport;and more.
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