Czech Republic

Companies based in Czech Republic, and the events that shaped them.

4companies1895–1993founding years4still active0no longer operating

§ 01

Czech Republic companies over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory

FoundedBudweiser Budvar, National Corporation FoundedSkoda Auto a.s.

1895

1903

TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.

1908

TechnologyFord's Model T puts the automobile within reach of the middle class.

1913

TechnologyFord's moving assembly line transforms factory production.

1914

EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.

1916

EconomyPiggly Wiggly opens the first self-service grocery store.

FoundedCeské aerolinie, a.s.

1923

1925

EconomyThe Grand Ole Opry begins broadcasting from Nashville.

1927

TechnologyThe Jazz Singer ushers in the era of sound films.

TechnologyLindbergh flies the Atlantic solo, and aviation captures the public.

1928

TechnologyPenicillin is discovered, opening the age of antibiotics.

1929

EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.

1931

EconomyThe Empire State Building rises in just over a year.

1933

EconomyThe first drive-in movie theater opens in New Jersey.

1937

EconomyThe Golden Gate Bridge opens as the world's longest suspension span.

1939

EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.

1945

EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.

1946

TechnologyENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, is unveiled.

1947

TechnologyThe transistor is invented.

1955

EconomyMcDonald's franchising begins, remaking fast food.

EconomyDisneyland opens and invents the modern theme park.

1956

TechnologyThe first transatlantic telephone cable opens.

1958

TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.

1962

EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.

EconomyThe first Walmart opens, built on everyday low prices.

1969

TechnologyARPANET, the internet's precursor, goes live.

1971

EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.

1973

EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.

1975

TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.

1979

EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.

1981

TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.

TechnologyThe first US in-vitro fertilization baby is born.

1984

TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.

1987

EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.

1989

HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.

1991

TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.

TechnologyLinux and open source challenge proprietary software.

FoundedCesky Telecom, a.s.

1993

TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.

1994

TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.

1995

TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.

1997

EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.

EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.

1999

TechnologyNapster ignites the digital disruption of recorded music.

2000

EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.

TechnologyGPS opens to civilian use, turning location into a utility.

2004

TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.

2007

TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.

2008

EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.

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

Budweiser Budvar, National Corporation →

Active · founded 1895 · Czech Republic

Small but feisty Czech brewer Budweiser Budvar, National Corporation has been battling mighty Anheuser-Busch (A-B) for…

Skoda Auto a.s. →

Active · founded 1895 · Czech Republic

Skoda Auto a.s., also known as Skoda Automobilova a.s., has been making cars for more than a century.

Ceské aerolinie, a.s. →

Active · founded 1923 · Czech Republic

Ceské aerolinie, a.s., also called Czech Airlines or CSA, flies to approximately 70 destinations in more than 40…

Cesky Telecom, a.s. →

Active · founded 1993 · Czech Republic

The company Cesky Telecom, a.s.

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