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On this episode of Our American Stories, before the 1950s, family road trips meant unreliable motels and tired parents hopping from place to place. After one frustrating trip, Kemmons Wilson decided to change that. He created Holiday Inn—the first family-friendly, standardized hotel chain in America. His son, Kemmons Wilson Jr., shares the story of how it all began.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) 

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the 1950s, family road trips meant unreliable motels and tired parents hopping from place to place. After one frustrating trip, Kemmons Wilson decided to change that. He created Holiday Inn&mdash;the first family-friendly, standardized hotel chain in America. His son, Kemmons Wilson Jr., shares the story of how it all began.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>&nbsp;

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

A Father Wanted a Clean Hotel for His Family... So He Created Holiday Inn

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c7696b4d-8772-453a-bfa0-b2f9015649d8/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Christopher Columbus sailed west in 1492, convinced he could reach Asia across the Atlantic. He was wrong about where he was going, wrong about the size of the world, and yet skilled and determined enough to complete a voyage that would change it forever. Over four expeditions, Columbus explored the Caribbean, encountered peoples unknown to Europeans, pursued gold and converts, and struggled disastrously to govern the colonies he helped establish.

Laurence Bergreen, author of Columbus: The Four Voyages, shares the complicated story of the ambitious mariner behind the legend.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Christopher Columbus sailed west in 1492, convinced he could reach Asia across the Atlantic. He was wrong about where he was going, wrong about the size of the world, and yet skilled and determined enough to complete a voyage that would change it forever. Over four expeditions, Columbus explored the Caribbean, encountered peoples unknown to Europeans, pursued gold and converts, and struggled disastrously to govern the colonies he helped establish. Laurence Bergreen, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F1410441156%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C301b49c1204142b8534308df0f67f96b%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639246611422554011%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ITcHmPsCA1n6WlcYa%2BrIA6mOfVELtU4xYh4hLhnjbJE%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">Columbus: The Four Voyages</a>, shares the complicated story of the ambitious mariner behind the legend.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Christopher Columbus: The Good, the Bad, and the Four Voyages

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e8bb9060-83b1-43bc-9c8e-b4c10175bc35/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, for years, Lowell Lytle put on a captain's uniform and portrayed Edward J. Smith at Titanic exhibits around the country. The ship became an obsession, but Lytle never imagined it would take him to the place where its story ended. Then, at 68 years old, he climbed inside a Russian submersible and descended two and a half miles into the Atlantic. Waiting for him in the darkness was the wreck of the Titanic.

Lytle shares what it was like to come face-to-face with the ship he had spent years studying and the realization about life and death that struck him on the ocean floor. He also tells the story of Reverend John Harper, a Baptist minister who survived the sinking only to spend his final moments in the freezing Atlantic trying to save the souls of those around him.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, for years, Lowell Lytle put on a captain's uniform and portrayed Edward J. Smith at Titanic exhibits around the country. The ship became an obsession, but Lytle never imagined it would take him to the place where its story ended. Then, at 68 years old, he climbed inside a Russian submersible and descended two and a half miles into the Atlantic. Waiting for him in the darkness was the wreck of the Titanic. Lytle shares what it was like to come face-to-face with the ship he had spent years studying and the realization about life and death that struck him on the ocean floor. He also tells the story of Reverend John Harper, a Baptist minister who survived the sinking only to spend his final moments in the freezing Atlantic trying to save the souls of those around him.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

He Played the Titanic's Captain, Then Dove to the Wreck

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/55c00864-e14e-4434-ad32-b4c101728dc8/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, David Klein loved candy so much that he studied candy bars as a kid, sold popcorn out of the back of his car, and eventually walked away from a career in law to make sweets his life. Then, in 1976, with just $800 to his name, Klein had an idea: reinvent the ordinary jelly bean. He dreamed up unusual flavors, found a manufacturer willing to make them, and gave his creation a name that would soon be known around the world: Jelly Belly.

David Klein himself shares how he turned a crazy idea into a national sensation, only to lose control of the candy he created.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, David Klein loved candy so much that he studied candy bars as a kid, sold popcorn out of the back of his car, and eventually walked away from a career in law to make sweets his life. Then, in 1976, with just $800 to his name, Klein had an idea: reinvent the ordinary jelly bean. He dreamed up unusual flavors, found a manufacturer willing to make them, and gave his creation a name that would soon be known around the world: Jelly Belly. David Klein himself shares how he turned a crazy idea into a national sensation, only to lose control of the candy he created.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

David Klein: The Man Who Invented Jelly Belly (and Lost It All)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/284423d5-77bf-4662-aa36-b4c101641c1b/transcript

A Father Wanted a Clean Hotel for His Family... So He Created Holiday Inn

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