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: Southlake—Travelocity signed a distribution agreement with S7 Airlines of Russia, a member of the oneworld alliance, and will offer the airline’s full range of content through Travelocity.com, Travelocity Business, and the Travelocity Partner Network.
“Travelocity and S7’s mutual customers will definitely benefit from this new agreement,” said Travelocity senior vice president Noreen Henry in a prepared statement. “We’re looking forward to forging a long-term relationship that will be of great benefit to our mutual customers.”
“The Internet is the most popular and fastest-growing sales channel for us and we think that working with a leading online travel company like Travelocity will allow S7 Airlines to attract new passengers,” said S7’s sales director Maxim Polukhin in a statement.
Travelocity also owns and operates: Travelocity Business for corporate travel; igougo.com, an online travel community; lastminute.com, a European online travel; and ZUJI, an Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation.
S7 Airlines is Russia’s leading airline in terms of network, domestic passenger carryings, customer service quality and innovation. S7 is a member of oneworld global airline alliance. It is the first carrier in Russia to convert to an all Western-built Airbus and Boeing fleet and the first to adopt full electronic ticketing and on-line reservations and sales. It holds the internationally recognised IOSA (International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit). S7 offers a two-class product to international standards on all departures – Business Class and Economy. Its fleet, decorated in a distinctive bright green livery, includes 28 Airbus A320 family types, one Airbus A310, two Boeing 767s, four Boeing 737-400s and four Boeing 737-800s, with an average age of nine years.
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: 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;American Airlines, US Airways to name post-merger leadership within weeks; and more.