Mark Twain in 1883.
This is the earliest known aerial photograph. It was taken in 1858 from an air balloon.
Soviet soldiers surrounding a pile of human ash found at the Majdanek concentration camp in 1944.
Native American couple in 1912. Situwuka and Katkwachsnea
Today I want to tell you about a man based in Vancouver who is listed as the richest man in Canada - James Allen "Jim" Pattison.
Although he was born on October 1, 1928 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, young Pattison grew up in East Vancouver. (The Pattisons moved west in 1935.) As a child, Jim sold magazine subscriptions and garden seeds door to door. I have also read that he picked fruit and played trumpet at children's church camp to earn money.
After high school, Pattison worked in a cannery, a packing house, as a labourer building bridges in the mountains and a dining car attendant for Canadian Pacific Railway. But it was the job washing cars at a gas station with a small attached car lot that led James to his future and fortune.
In 1929, in Revere Beach, Massachusetts, a lion rides in a side car during the Wall of Death carnival attraction.
In 1890, a group of medical students pose with a cadaver.
1966, the construction of the Sydney Opera House.
1944 burial at sea aboard the USS Lexington.
One day, salesman at the car lot was away and Pattison successfully sold a car. He had found his calling. He managed to get a job as a car salesman.
Jim dropped out of the University of British Columbia to focus on his new passion and he is a good salesman. In 1961, Pattison purchased his first car dealership - Pontiac Buick - and that was only the start. That sole dealership blossomed into 21 in southwestern British Columbia.
Jim Pattison isn't only about cars though. In 1965, he purchased Vancouver's CJOR-AM radio station - the first of thirty he would later own as well as three TV stations. This was the start of his empire diversifying. In Pattison's own words, "My business strategy is that you don't have all your eggs in one basket."
Jim Pattison isn't only about cars though. In 1965, he purchased Vancouver's CJOR-AM radio station - the first of thirty he would later own as well as three TV stations. This was the start of his empire diversifying. In Pattison's own words, "My business strategy is that you don't have all your eggs in one basket."
Frank Sinatra asks Lou Gehrig for an autograph, 1939
Children rush into a candy store after a 'sweet's rationing' ends in 1953. Lots of happy dentists too!
Would you believe this is the seating area of the submarine, The Protector, in 1902?
From 1846. This is thought to be the oldest war photo and shows New Hampshire volunteers departing for the Mexican war.
And diversify he did. The Pattison Group encompasses transportation, communications, food products, packaging, real estate and financial services. It even owns 27 Ripley's Believe It or Not! museums in nine countries. The company employs 35,000 employees in 473 locations.
According to a newspaper report from December 17, 2013, Pattison is worth $9.5 billion and the company is privately owned.
Besides being a successful businessman, Pattison is also a philanthropist. He gives millions to hospitals and other worthwhile causes. He served as Chairman of Expo '86 - the successful World's Fair, which secured Vancouver's place on the international stage - for about five years. And he did it without compensation. He has served on the Boards of several companies and foundations such as the Toronto Dominion Bank, Canadian Pacific Ltd., and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.
This man is a marvel and I will tell you more on Friday.
Mourners walk past murdered civil rights leader, Medgar Evars, in 1963. It would take 31 years for his killer to be brought to justice.
These soldiers are comforting each other in the Korean War in the 1950s.
Albert Einstein in 1932.
Six year old Arthur Conan Doyle. 1865
I have a lot to thank for the information contained in today's entry.Biographybase.com, the Jim Pattison Group website, Wikipedia, and an article by Matthew Robinson in the Vancouver Sun.
Thanks goes to my Mommy and her friend Wes for the old photos.
I hope you find the beauty around you.
Karen Magill, Vancouver, Jim Pattison, History, Saskatoon,Pontiac, Expo 86, radio, TV, billion, rich
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