John Browning and His Influence in Modern-Day Firearms Industry

John Browning is perhaps one person who has left an indelible mark etched throughout the history of mankind which will never be forgotten. Browning was an American gun designer who was responsible for developing a variety of civilian and military firearms, ammunition, cartridges, and other gun mechanisms still used throughout the world today. He is an icon in the development of modern semi-automatic and automatic firearms. There are at least 128 firearms patents that can be credited to him. He started making firearms at 13 and had his first patent at the age of 24.

Browning has his influence marked in almost all gun categories ever designed. He has made significant changes to most single-shot, slide action, and lever-action shotguns and rifles. But his most important contribution is perhaps on the category of auto-loading guns. He was the first to develop the most reliable auto-loading pistols. They were operated by integrated telescoping bolt and barrel shroud. Every modern-day fully-automatic firearms and semi-automatic pistols have been influenced by Browning’s integrated telescoping bolt.

The first gas-operated machine gun known as the Colt-Browning Model 1895 was also the handiwork of Browning. Its design has become the benchmark for most of the high-powered, self-loading guns today. Browning also has his own mark in the development of automatic cannon.

The most significant designs made by Browning include the Browning .50 caliber machine gun, the M1911 pistol, the Browning Automatic Rifle, and the semi-automatic shotgun which is considered a ground-breaking invention. The modern-day versions of these guns are still identical to those developed by Browning except for the minor changes in some of their intricate details and their cosmetics. Browning’s guns are arguably the world’s most copied guns.

Browning was born on January 23, 1855 in Ogden, Utah. He was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He died on November 26, 1926.

Torrence Boone: An Innovation Focus as Google, Inc.’s Managing Director of Agency Development

A leading presence in the technology-based marketing and advertising arenas, Torrence Boone currently serves as Google, Inc.’s Managing Director of Agency Development. His focus is on strengthening collaborative relationships with large advertising agencies, which are in an ideal position to leverage Google’s platform and technologies in achieving results for client.

Mr. Boone’s team works closely with agency constituents in devising creative strategies that effectively employ new products introduced at Google I/O annual conferences. He is particularly active in matching the expanded strategic possibilities unleashed through products such as Nexus 7 and HTML5 to specific agency needs. Another area of focus involves identifying and capitalizing on opportunities presented by cloud computing and Chrome for Android and iOS platforms. He helps devise agency pathways for reaching a wide number of targeted consumers, with content synched across stationary, tablet, and mobile devices.

A graduate of the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Torrence Boone completed his undergraduate studies in Economics at Stanford University. Earning his MBA at Harvard Business School, he took a position as Consultant with Bain & Company in Boston, focusing on the healthcare & pharmaceutical, and consumer product sectors. This position led to Senior Manager responsibilities, with a particular emphasis on M&A transactions and  interactive marketing. Durring this time, he earned recognition as one of Boston Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” executives.

From 2001 to 2008, Torrence Boone engaged with the digital and direct marketing agency Digitas in executive capacities, ultimately accepting a position as President. He was subsequently recruited by the advertising WPP to serve as CEO of the startup venture Enfatico. This globally focused firm sought to integrate the diverse media, advertising, and marketing needs of Dell Inc. under a single roof.

George Cadbury’s Extraordinary Legacy

George Cadbury is the third son of Cadbury chocolate company founder John Cadbury. Along with Richard, his brother, George became responsible for the family’s business in 1861. The business grew and in 1878, George was able to purchase an open land (measuring about 14 acres) where he built a new factory in 1879.

As a Quaker, George built a Quaker study center in the early years of the 20^th century. To this day, this study center remains the only such study in Europe. The center offers short courses for social and spiritual issues to Quakers.

George and Richard showed much concern for their employees’ quality of life. They provided an alternative way of life in the city for them. The Cadburys decided to acquire new lands and move the factory to a new location. They  built a factory town which was known later as Bournville. Bournville had affordable houses, allowing the poor families to experience urban living.

The Cadburys loved their employees. They believed that their workers have social rights so they built sports grounds and canteens for them. When Richard died, George continued to manage the business. George established committees that would discuss proposals to improve the company. Among his most recent projects was the education facility for his employees.

Tina Brown: Power to Revitalize Dying Magazines

Tina Brown is a popular journalist and author. She earned her master’s degree at St. Anne’s College. She started her career in journalism in 1973 when she started writing for The Sunday Telegraph, The New Statesman, and the London Sunday Time. That year, Brown was the recipient of the Catherine Pakenham Award for the Most Promising Female Journalist of the Year.

Brown became a reputable editor when, in 1979, she became an editor-in-chief at 25 years old. At that time, the 270-year old Tatler magazine was almost defunct. Brown revitalized this “society” magazine. The circulation of Tatler increased by 300% during her time, until she exited in 1983. Condé Nast acquired the magazine in 1982.

In 1983, Brown was invited by Condé Nast chairman S.I. Newhouse to transfer to the US to be the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair. During her time with Vanity Fair (1984 to 1992), the magazine circulation increased from 350,000 to over 1 million. For four times, the magazine was voted in the National Magazine awards plus the General Excellence award which the magazine received in 1989. Advertising Age also awarded Brown with the Magazine Editor of the Year in 1989.

Another offer came from Newhouse in 1992 to take on another big challenge – to revitalize the dying The New Yorker magazine. She accepted the challenge and became the magazine’s fourth editor and the first editor in 73 years. During her time, The New Yorker’s circulation increased by 145% in the newsstands.

Among the award giving bodies that granted The New Yorker with awards are the George Polk awards (four times), Overseas Press Club awards (five times), 10 National Magazine awards (once). In 1992, Brown also received the National Press Foundation’s Editor of the Year.

After her stint in The New Yorker, Brown partnered with Harvey and Bob Weinstein to form the Talk Media in 1998. The newfound partnership launched the Talk magazine. They also launched the Talk Miramax Books.

Queen Elizabeth awarded Brown with the Commander of the British Empire in November 2000 to recognize her contributions to overseas journalism.

John H. Bryan Jr.: A Successful Mississippian

John H. Bryan Jr. became popular in the business world as the CEO of Sara Lee Corporation. He is also a member of the board of Goldman Sachs, Amoco, General Motors Company, and Bank One Corporation. Bryan is considered as arguably one of the most successful natives of Mississippi.

Bryan was born in West Point, Mississippi on October 5, 1936. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Economics degree at Rhodes Colleges. He worked at his family’s business when he was 24. His family’s business grew and at 32, he became the first president of Bryan Foods.

The Fortune 500 company Consolidated Foods acquired Bryan Brothers Packing in 1968. Bryan rose to the ranks and a board member in 1974. When Consolidated Foods was changed to Sara Lee Corporation in 1975, Bryan became the CEO. He was the chairman of the board in 1976 and held the position until 2001.

Bryan had many other successes and awards through the years. He was one of the most accomplished Mississippians and he received all his awards while helping communities live better.

Terrance Brenan: Conquering Culinary Scenes One Restaurant After Another

Terrance Brenan is a celebrated chef entrepreneur and the owner of highly-acclaimed restaurants, Picholine and Artisanal Fromagerie.

Born to Virginia restaurateurs, Terrance started cooking when he was 13 years old and has since then steadily rose to the highest ranks of America’s prominent and innovative chefs. Following eminent positions at numerous Washington D.C. hotels and restaurants, Terrance took a job in Le Cirque as a saucier. Under the supervision of legendary chef Alain Sailhac, he was able to work in a few of the greatest kitchens in Europe including Moulin de Mougi, Taillevent, Le Tour d’ Argent, Gualtiero Marchesi, La Gavroche and Les Crayeres. But it wasn’t until he met and worked with Chef Roger Verge that he began to form his signature culinary technique, which involved mastering Southern France’s “cuisine of the sun”. Deeply enamored by the tastes and flavors of Europe, the edified chef returned to New York with an aim to perfect his art.

Terrance polished his culinary skills as the head chef of Hotel Westbury’s Annabelle, and Prix & Fixe. After a few more years of experience, he finally opened his very own restaurant, Picholine, named after the little green olives that flourish in the Mediterranean coast. Needless to say, the restaurant opened to great reviews, garnering three to four stars in nearly all prestigious publications including The New York Times and New York Magazine. His well-refined palette, unparalleled skill of cooking up extraordinary dishes, keen eye for meal presentation and entrepreneurial spirit took him to the heights of restaurant industry, while his restaurants are ceaselessly lauded by epicureans and gastronomes from all over the world.

One of Terrance’s groundbreaking moves involved the introduction of the time-honored European cheese courses that raised the bar of American fine dining. In 2001, he opened his Artisanal, a bistro and wine bar that acquired immediate fame as a tribute to the delightful pleasures brought about by the finest cheeses in the world. The restaurant garnered numerous accolades including Zagat Survey’s Best Brasserie Cuisine in 2002.

Terrance went on to become a world-renowned chef and an enduring personality in numerous television shows and publications. The successful culinary guru shared his passion for cooking in his best-selling cookbook, Artisanal Cooking: A Chef Shares His Passion for Handcrafting Great Meals at Home.

Nicholas Brown Sr.: Good Friend of Providence, Rhode Island

Nicholas Brown Sr. was an American entrepreneur. He was the co-founder of the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The school was renamed in 1804 as Brown University, in honor of his son Nicholas Brown Jr.

Brown was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 26, 1729. Together with his brothers John and Moses and other colleagues, they formed the original trustees for the incorporation of the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Aside from his active support for the University, Brown is known to be a devout member of the First Baptist Church in America until his death.

At his death in 1791, his pastor Rev. Dr. Stillman said of Brown in his eulogy that he was an “affectionate husband, a tender father, a compassionate master, a dutiful son, a loving brother, and a steady and faithful friend.” The University he helped to found, the church which he served faithfully, and the town of Providence lost a very good friend when he died.