COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 713110

Amusement and Theme Parks

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

22companies1892–1989founding years20still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedGeneral Electric CompanyFoundedGeneral Electric Company
1892
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
FoundedUniversal Studios, Inc.FoundedUniversal Studios, Inc.
1912
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedThe Tussauds Group
1926
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedThe Walt Disney CompanyFoundedThe Walt Disney Company
1938
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedVillage Roadshow Ltd.FoundedVillage Roadshow Ltd.
1954
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedSanrio Company, Ltd.
1960
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
FoundedSix Flags, Inc.FoundedSix Flags, Inc.FoundedViacom Inc.FoundedViacom Inc.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedCencosud S.A.
1978
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedEuro Disney S.C.A.FoundedEuro Disney S.C.A.
1988
FoundedGrévin & Compagnie SA
1989
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

General Electric Company →
Active · founded 1892
The history of General Electric Company is a significant part of the history of technology in the United States.
General Electric Company →
Active · founded 1892
The history of General Electric Company is a significant part of the history of technology in the United States.
Universal Studios, Inc. →
Active · founded 1912
Universal Studios, Inc.
Universal Studios, Inc. →
Active · founded 1912
Universal Studios, Inc.
The Tussauds Group →
Active · founded 1926 · United Kingdom
The Tussauds Group is more than just its famous Madame Tussaud's attraction.
The Tussauds Group →
Active · founded 1926 · United Kingdom
The Tussauds Group is more than just its famous Madame Tussaud's attraction.
The Walt Disney Company →
Active · founded 1938
A colossal force in the entertainment industry, The Walt Disney Company (Disney) is best known for bringing decades of…
The Walt Disney Company →
Active · founded 1938
A colossal force in the entertainment industry, The Walt Disney Company (Disney) is best known for bringing decades of…
Village Roadshow Ltd. →
Active · founded 1954 · Australia
Village Roadshow Ltd.
Village Roadshow Ltd. →
Active · founded 1954 · Australia
Village Roadshow Ltd.
Sanrio Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1960 · Japan
Japan's Sanrio Company, Ltd.
Sanrio Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1960 · Japan
Japan's Sanrio Company, Ltd.
Six Flags, Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
Six Flags, Inc.
Six Flags, Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
Six Flags, Inc.
Viacom Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1971
One of the largest media companies in the world, Viacom Inc.
Viacom Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1971
One of the largest media companies in the world, Viacom Inc.
Cencosud S.A. →
Active · founded 1978 · Chile
Cencosud S.A.
Cencosud S.A. →
Active · founded 1978 · Chile
Cencosud S.A.
Euro Disney S.C.A. →
Active · founded 1988 · France
Euro Disney S.C.A.
Euro Disney S.C.A. →
Active · founded 1988 · France
Euro Disney S.C.A.
Grévin & Compagnie SA →
Active · founded 1989 · France
Grévin & Compagnie SA is France's leading operator of amusement parks and tourist attractions (in terms of attendance…
Grévin & Compagnie SA →
Active · founded 1989 · France
Grévin & Compagnie SA is France's leading operator of amusement parks and tourist attractions (in terms of attendance…
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