Berkshire Hathaway is a name that, despite its vast wealth and immeasurable influence, most average people don’t actually know. However, this multi-billion dollar conglomerate owns more than 50 businesses including household names like Dairy Queen, Fruit of the Loom, Duracell, and GEICO.
But there’s more to it than just that. In fact, Berkshire Hathaway has a surprisingly interesting history full of odd decisions, some mistakes, a few lucky draws, and more than a little bit of the common sense of its celebrity billionaire chairman Warren Buffett. And, it all started with two textile companies on the East Coast.