Familiar Marks

Like us earthly mortals, all trademarks will one day return to the great void from which they sprung — forgotten, or simply sapped of all selling power. Frankly, no one much misses the Studebakers or PanAms if they consumed thos brands' products or services, and the names recede to the hinterlands of Nostalgia.

What many don't realize is what an advanced pace this trend has taken lately. With the globalization of trade and the resulting consolidation of large corporations into even larger ones, a lot of familiar names are waving goodbye forever. Granted, the importance of a brand name on one's life may be minimal, but its passing from view makes us ever more aware of the time unfolding before us (and behind us).

So let's take a moment to acknowledge a few recent departures, and others which won't be around for long.

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My apologies and/or thanks to the band Mishima USA, from a song of whose this feature's title is stolen/borrowed/flatteringly co-opted. Show them you care and buy their album today.