Ray Kroc

His name?

Walt Disney.

The armistice was signed before he could ship out, so he went home wondering what to do next.

His parents talked him into trying school again.

He lasted one more semester.

In 1922, he wanted to marry a woman named Ethel Fleming.

His father told him it was impossible unless he had a steady job first.

So a few days later, Ray took a job selling Lily Brand paper cups.

For 17 years, that was his life.

He wasn't just selling flimsy, paraffin-coated cardboard.

In his mind, he was selling human progress.

To the skeptical, old-world restaurant owners still clinging to their washable glass, he pointed out the obvious.

Glass meant washing.

Washing meant labor.

Labor meant time not spent serving customers.

Not to mention that glasses could break and customers could, and did, steal them.

A paper cup, on the other hand, brought something more valuable, speed and simplicity.

That became his pitch, and every day he pounded the pavement until 5.30 every afternoon.

Then he went to a radio station where he played piano until 2 in the morning.

He and his partner, Harry Sosnick, were the piano twins.