1

Blockbuster

Image: Blockbuster LLC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

During the ’80s and ’90s, Friday nights had an almost mandatory stop: Blockbuster. Founded in Dallas, Texas, the blue-and-yellow giant brought Hollywood into Americans’ living rooms with its VHS. At its peak, it had nearly 10,000 stores worldwide.

But something happened in 1997: Netflix. First a DVD-by-mail competitor, Netflix became a streaming service in 2007, and that was one of the main events that helped bring Blockbuster down. By 2010, the iconic brand had filed for bankruptcy. There is only one remaining store located in Bend, Oregon.

2

Sears

Image: Mike Kalasnik from Jersey City, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

We’ve all spent an afternoon at Sears. From clothes and accessories to home goods and tools, Sears simply had it all. Founded in 1892 as a mail-order company, it grew throughout the 20th century into a retail powerhouse with hundreds of stores, becoming the shopping stop for many American families.

But as shopping habits changed and competition from giants like Walmart intensified, Sears failed to reinvent itself. After years of decline, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2018. Today, only a handful of stores remain.

3

Pontiac

Image: Ali Moharami

If we say GTO, Firebird, or Trans Am, you know exactly what we’re talking about, right? Of course you do! Pontiac was once one of America’s most iconic car brands, reaching its peak of fame between the 1950s and 1970s.

But after a financial crisis, General Motors decided to discontinue Pontiac in 2010 as it struggled to keep pace with other divisions like Chevrolet and Cadillac.

4

Oldsmobile

Image: Hombre

Pontiac wasn’t the only big name General Motors said goodbye to. Many of us still remember Oldsmobile, founded in 1897 and once a symbol of American innovation. But as sales began to decline through the 1990s and early 2000s, the brand slowly faded and was discontinued in 2004.

5

Woolworth’s

Image: Mike Petrucci

Do you remember Woolworth’s? Founded in New York in 1879, it introduced a revolutionary idea for its time: everyday items at low, fixed prices.

As a pioneer of the five-and-dime store, it grew into one of the largest retail chains in the world. But, much like what happened with Sears, fierce competition had a huge impact, and the brand eventually closed its last American stores in 1997.

6

Compaq

Image: Brian R. Lueck, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Many of us had a Compaq at some point. Founded in 1982 in Houston, Texas, this personal computer brand quickly became one of the biggest names in the tech world. However, as new competitors filled the market in the 1990s, sales began to decline. Over time, the brand faded away, and by the early 2010s, Compaq was gone.

7

Pan Am

Image: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Whether you loved flying or not, everyone knew Pan Am. Founded in 1927 as a small mail carrier, it grew into one of America’s most famous airlines, serving millions of passengers around the world.

Until the 1970s, it was practically synonymous with air travel. But the 80s arrived with a mix of rising fuel costs, competition, and financial troubles that led to its bankruptcy in 1991. Did you ever fly with them?

8

TaB

Image: luthfi alfarizi

In the 1960s, the concept of "diet soda" gained popularity, and that’s when Coca-Cola introduced TaB, which claimed to be "sugar-free!" on its famous pink can. But when Diet Coke arrived, TaB’s sales collapsed, and the competition was over. Still, during the ’70s and ’80s, TaB had its big moment in the spotlight: You either loved it or hated it, no in-between. Which side were you on?

9

Borders

Image: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

In recent decades, digital technology has become a major part of our lives. And while it has brought many benefits, it has also hurt certain industries. Borders was one of them.

The rise of online retailers, the emergence of e-readers like Amazon’s Kindle, and the growing popularity of digital books caused the bookstore chain to lose ground. Unable to keep up with the competition, sales declined so badly that the company declared bankruptcy in 2011.

10

Burger Chef

Image: John Margolies, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Some may say that McDonald’s has no competition. But it did: Burger Chef. Founded in 1954 in Indianapolis, it was one of the first fast-food restaurants and quickly gained a huge customer base.

By the 1970s, it had become one of the Golden Arches’ biggest competitors, reaching more than 1,200 locations nationwide. It was even the first to introduce the "kids’ meal." However, everything changed in the 1980s, when the company was bought out, and many of its restaurants were converted to other brands. Its last remaining store closed in 1996.

1

Nate Thurmond

Image: Salah Regouane

In the 1960s and early ’70s, Nate Thurmond anchored the middle for the Golden State Warriors, outmuscling giants and grabbing rebounds as if the ball belonged only to him. Later, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he became the kind of veteran every young team needs—steady, selfless, and always doing the dirty work that doesn’t make the headlines but wins the crowd’s respect. Both franchises retired his No. 42, a fitting tribute to a blue-collar superstar.

2

Pete Maravich

Image: daschorsch

Playing in the 1970s, Pete "Pistol Pete" Maravich starred for the Atlanta Hawks and later the New Orleans Jazz. His ball-handling and creativity—whirling passes, deep jumpers—looked like magic tricks that made crowds gasp. After a 10-year professional career and being named an All-Star five times, Atlanta retired his No. 44, and both the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans hung his No. 7 jersey.

3

Moses Malone

Image: Abhay siby Mathew

Moses Malone was a rebounding machine, plain and simple. He dominated the boards for the Houston Rockets and then the Philadelphia 76ers, where he helped deliver a championship after famously predicting "Fo’, fo’, fo’." Both franchises honored him by retiring his No. 24 (Rockets) and No. 2 (76ers), a fitting salute to one of the game’s toughest, hardest-working big men.

4

Bob Lanier

Image: Batu Gezer

Bob Lanier, known both for his silky post moves and those legendary size-22 shoes, was a true powerhouse of the 1970s. With the Detroit Pistons, he combined strength and finesse, scoring with a soft touch and rebounding like a man on a mission. Later, in Milwaukee, he brought the same fire and leadership to a younger Bucks team, proving that experience could be just as valuable as raw talent. It’s no wonder both Detroit and Milwaukee raised his No. 16 to the rafters, honoring a giant whose big shoes came with an even bigger heart.

5

Charles Barkley

Image: Abhay siby Mathew

Charles Barkley was never the tallest guy on the court—just 6 ft 6 in—but with roughly 252 pounds of muscle, grit, and pure attitude, he played like a bulldozer on wheels. Known as "The Round Mound of Rebound," he crashed the boards with fearless energy. In Philadelphia, he became a fan favorite for his fiery play and quick wit; in Phoenix, he shone even brighter, winning MVP and taking the Suns all the way to the Finals. Both franchises hung up his No. 34 as a salute to a player who made hard work look heroic.

6

Earl Monroe

Image: Chaojie Ni

Earl "The Pearl" Monroe brought poetry to the hardwood. In the 1960s and ’70s, his smooth, stop-and-go style made defenders freeze, and fans fall in love. Starting in Baltimore (now the Washington Wizards ), he turned the Bullets’ offense into a show: spin moves, crossovers, and jump shots that seemed to hang in the air. Then came his move to New York, where he teamed up with Walt Frazier to create one of the most graceful backcourts the NBA has ever seen. Both the Knicks and Wizards retired his No. 15 and No. 10: Monroe’s creativity made basketball feel like jazz.

7

Clyde Drexler

Image: Markus Spiske

In Portland, Clyde "The Glide" Drexler soared with effortless grace, gliding past defenders and making the rim look weightless. His mix of speed, style, and quiet confidence made him the heartbeat of the Trail Blazers through the 1980s and early ’90s. When he returned home to Houston in the mid-’90s, he helped secure a championship ring for the Rockets . Today, his No. 22 jersey hangs in the rafters in both Portland and Houston—a lasting tribute to a man who truly lived up to his nickname.

8

Oscar Robertson

Image: Abhay siby Mathew

What if you averaged a triple-double before anyone thought it was possible? Oscar Robertson did just that in the 1960s, stuffing the stat sheet for the Cincinnati Royals (now Sacramento Kings ) and later winning a title for the Milwaukee Bucks, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats. Both franchises retired his numbers 1 and 14, honoring the "Big O," one of the greatest players in NBA history.

9

Julius Erving

Image: Abhay siby Mathew

Long before modern dunks, Julius "Dr. J" Erving was taking flight, turning layups into art and slam dunks into poetry. He first captivated fans with the Nets in the ABA before becoming a true icon in Philadelphia . Both teams honored his brilliance: the Nets retired his No. 32 , and the 76ers lifted his No. 6 into the rafters. When you change the game, you don’t just earn a banner—you earn two.

10

Wilt Chamberlain

Image: Tim Hart

Not many players inspire stories that sound too wild to be true, so if basketball had tall tales, Wilt Chamberlain would star in all of them. A 7-foot-1 force of nature, a giant with legendary scoring numbers—including a 100-point game—Wilt’s dominance stretched across the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers. All three teams retired his No. 13.

11

Shaquille O’Neal

Image: Luis Montejo

A 7-foot-1, 325-pound tower of strength, Shaq shook backboards, rims, and entire defenses. After playing college basketball, O'Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic, where he played for four years. Later, he starred with the Lakers, winning three consecutive titles, then helped the Miami Heat capture its first championship. All three franchises retired his No. 32 and No. 34 jerseys, because when Shaq arrived, the fun—and the winning—followed.

12

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Image: Alex Haney

With his skyhook reaching somewhere near the clouds, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored more points than anyone in NBA history for decades. He led the Milwaukee Bucks to a title, then added five more with the Lakers. Both franchises retired his iconic No. 33, honoring a player who blended grace and dominance like no one else.

13

Dikembe Mutombo

Image: Finnian HaDiep

One of the best shot-blockers and defensive players of all time, Dikembe Mutombo protected the paint like a personal fortress. He blocked shots, grabbed rebounds, and smiled through it all. The Denver Nuggets loved him. The Atlanta Hawks loved him. Both retired his No. 55. And yes, fans still remember that famous wagging finger after a big block.

14

Michael Jordan

Image: Abhay siby Mathew

Of course, "His Airness" would be on this list! Michael Jordan’s No. 23 isn’t just a jersey—it’s an icon. In Chicago, it hangs high as a symbol of six championships, clutch shots, and a golden era that fans still replay in their minds like a favorite movie. But there’s more: the Miami Heat have honored his number too, even though Jordan never suited up for them. Call it courtesy, call it class, but wherever you go, No. 23 still means one thing: Michael Jordan was here.

1

$125 million for a Grade-school math error

Image: Aaron Lefler

Imagine losing a hugely expensive spacecraft due to a simple mix-up between English and metric measurements . That is exactly what happened to NASA in 1999 when a Mars orbiter designed by Lockheed Martin was lost in space.

The confusion caused a malfunction on the $125 million craft, resulting in the probe’s loss. Although it was unusual for Lockheed to use English measurements for a NASA design (since NASA had stipulated using metric measurements for many years), there were still several instances where the error should have been caught but wasn’t.

2

Toys ‘R’ Us blunder

Image: Taylor Heery

If you think an action figure of a drug dealer isn’t the best idea for a toy store , you’re not alone. Yet, for some reason, Toys "R" Us decided otherwise in October 2014, possibly hoping to cash in on the massive success of the Breaking Bad TV series.

Unsurprisingly, the giant toy retailer was forced to pull from its shelves four collectible dolls based on characters from the AMC hit show, each doll featuring a detachable sack of cash and a bag of meth.

3

Apple Maps' rocky beginnings

Image: CardMapr.nl

When Apple decided to launch its own map application on iOS devices after a conflict with Google in 2012, users quickly realized that the Apple app was not nearly as launch-ready as it should have been .

Locations were mislabeled, roads were missing, and it occasionally steered people in entirely the wrong direction. The problem was eventually, though largely, resolved, but it was an embarrassing misstep for a company known for never launching a product before it was as near-perfect as possible.

4

Bank of America debit card fee

Image: Ali Mkumbwa

Back in 2011, when the backlash against the banking industry had not yet reached its boiling point, Bank of America announced it would charge customers $5 per month to use their debit cards .

It was a bad business decision. More than 300,000 people signed an online petition, and Fox Business Network’s Gerri Willis cut up her debit card on air. The bank pointed to federal regulations as the reason for the charge but ultimately capitulated to consumer demand after a month before the fees went into effect.

5

$33 airline tickets from Toronto to Cyprus

Image: Miguel Ángel Sanz

If buying a business class ticket regularly priced at $2,558 for just $33 sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Except in 2006, when an Alitalia employee accidentally forgot to input two extra zeros when pricing business-class tickets from Toronto to Cyprus.

Due to the exchange rate on that day and the blunder, hundreds of buyers managed to snag fares for just $33. The airline honored those deals, accepting the heavily discounted price for the 509 people who purchased tickets before the error was detected.

6

A $70 million comma

Image: Nattipat Vesvarute

As the folks at NASA and Alitalia have shown us, small errors can lead to costly mistakes. The following blunder comes courtesy of Lockheed Martin , which issued a contract to a customer with a missing comma in the sale price .

The astute customer held the aerospace company to the contract, costing Lockheed Martin $70 million for a C-130J Hercules aircraft in June 1999.

7

Sears misses the ship

Image: Estefania Cortes

A retail giant that faced a situation similar to the one Kodak faced—embrace the new and unknown or cling to the old, successful recipe—Sears sold everything from socks to tires via mail order, shipping across the U.S.

Choosing to stick with the old method, the company ended its catalog and delivery business in 1993 . In 1994, Amazon was founded , filling the business void that Sears had just created. The rest is history.

8

Passing on Microsoft

Image: Jaime Marrero

$60 million might seem like a lot of money to us regular folks, but for someone with very deep pockets like Texas businessman and two-time U.S. presidential candidate Ross Perot, it wasn’t all that much.

In 1979, he was offered the chance to buy Microsoft for that sum. However, his final offer to the tech company was just $15 million, and as a result, the Texan missed out on the opportunity to own what would become one of the biggest companies in the world .

9

Blackberry sticks with the old

Image: Thai Nguyen

Another case of a brand sticking with the old instead of embracing the new, BlackBerry was all the rage at the start of the 21st century— until Steve Jobs came along with the Apple iPhone .

While BlackBerry Messenger was extremely popular, with over 80 million users worldwide, the device lacked the new touchscreen functionality and sleek design of the Apple product. From being a market leader, BlackBerry’s market share plummeted to 0.2% by 2016.

10

RadioShack’s downfall

Image: Jelleke Vanooteghem

Not so long ago, RadioShack was a familiar presence on the streets and the go-to place for buying batteries and electronics. But it was that same brick-and-mortar presence, coupled with a reluctance to embrace e-commerce , that ultimately led to its demise .

Eventually, poor profit margins on what they could sell, combined with a loan they couldn’t repay, brought down what was once the go-to place for electronics.