Live data from Hacker News

A Japanese shop is 1,020 years old

nytimes.com

21–30 of 179 posts

Re: A Japanese shop is 1,020 years old

#24

I don't think any tech companies will ever survive that long.

Could Nintendo be the oldest company currently involved with tech?

Define "tech"?

Nintendo was founded in 1889.

As just one counter-example; I'm sure there are plenty more/earlier: Siemens was founded in 1847 (edit: by building telegraph equipment and infrastructure).

Edit: I'm sure there must have been earlier companies involved in "tech" that are still relevant? Maybe let's think about "tech" as "information technology" companies?

Re: A Japanese shop is 1,020 years old

#26
post #19
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yellowstone (TV show) reference? :)

No, that’s just a literal description of how these old Japanese businesses pass themselves along for centuries.

Oddly enough that's also how roman emperors handled dynastic succession[0].

In a world with 40% child mortality, it was more of a sure thing than gambling on having a biological heir.

0: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoption_in_ancient_Rome

Re: A Japanese shop is 1,020 years old

#27
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Could Nintendo be the oldest company currently involved with tech?

Define "tech"? Nintendo was founded in 1889. As just one counter-example; I'm sure there are plenty more/earlier: Siemens was founded in 1847 (edit: by building telegraph equipment and infrastructure). Edit: I'm sure there must have been earlier companies involved in "tech" that are still relevant? Maybe let's think about "tech" as "information technology" companies?

Making playing cards, IIRC. Was that considered tech back then?

Re: A Japanese shop is 1,020 years old

#28
Do shops like these mostly inherited? I'm also aware of Japan's adult adoptions. Is there pressure on the next gen. to take over the family business? I would think yes.

In my mind, just imagining operating for a Millennium, these institutions are more temples than businesses. Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Thankfully the practice is not very widespread as I could easily have found myself taking care of a breakfast place by a moderately busy highway in Southern India.

Re: A Japanese shop is 1,020 years old

#29

Do shops like these mostly inherited? I'm also aware of Japan's adult adoptions. Is there pressure on the next gen. to take over the family business? I would think yes. In my mind, just imagining operating for a Millennium, these institutions are more temples than businesses. Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Thankfully the practice is not very widespread as I could easily have found myself taking care…

Oh no, owning property and having a place in the community. What a nightmare.

Re: A Japanese shop is 1,020 years old

#30
post #27
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Define "tech"? Nintendo was founded in 1889. As just one counter-example; I'm sure there are plenty more/earlier: Siemens was founded in 1847 (edit: by building telegraph equipment and infrastructure). Edit: I'm sure there must have been earlier companies involved in "tech" that are still relevant? Maybe let's think about "tech" as "information technology" companies?

Making playing cards, IIRC. Was that considered tech back then?

In the case of Nintendo: probably not.
Post reply on HN