Acquired Season 5, Episode 5: Atari (with Nolan Bushnell)
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Oct 15, 2019 Join Nolan Bushnell, the visionary founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, as he shares fascinating tales from the early days of video game innovation. Hear about the origins of Atari, the creation of iconic games like Pong, and how he once hired Steve Jobs. Bushnell dives into his entrepreneurial journey, discussing his unique growth strategies and the cultural impact of gaming. Plus, discover the surprising connections between Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, and the challenges and triumphs that defined his groundbreaking career.
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First Business Venture
- Nolan Bushnell's first business venture was selling strawberries door-to-door at age 8.
- This experience sparked his entrepreneurial drive, teaching him about markets and service.
TV Repair Business
- At age 10, Bushnell started a TV repair business, undercutting competitors by charging only 50 cents for house calls.
- He instead marked up replacement tubes, a model similar to the later cartridge-console business model.
Lagoon Amusement Park
- Bushnell managed games at Lagoon Amusement Park, where he learned about game mechanics and maximizing revenue.
- He strategically rigged games like "Tip Them Over" to increase profits, understanding customer psychology.