Perplexity Pro's list of companies that have been around since 1825 (200 years ago):
1. Kongo Gumi (578 AD, Japan)
3. Specializing in temple construction for over 1,400 years, it was acquired in 2006 but still operates under Takamatsu Construction Group.
2. Drohobych Saltworks (1250, Ukraine)
State-owned and Europe’s oldest salt producer, now also a cultural heritage site.
3. Shirley Plantation (1613, USA)
Virginia’s oldest family-owned business, operating as a historic farm and museum.
4. Avedis Zildjian Company (1623, USA)
The world’s premier cymbal manufacturer, founded in Istanbul and relocated to Massachusetts in 1929.
5. Hudson’s Bay Company (1670, Canada/USA)
Originally a fur-trade monopoly, it now operates department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue.
6. White Horse Tavern (1673, USA)
America’s oldest continuously running restaurant, serving patrons in Newport, Rhode Island.
7. Baker’s Chocolate (1765, USA)
Launched by James Baker in Massachusetts, it remains a baking staple under Kraft Heinz ownership.
8. Laird & Company (1780, USA)
The oldest licensed distillery in the U.S., producing applejack since the American Revolution.
9. King Arthur Baking Company (1790, USA)
Founded in Boston, it’s now a Vermont-based leader in flour and baking products.
10. Brooks Brothers (1818, USA)
America’s oldest clothing retailer, surviving bankruptcy in 2020 and continuing under new ownership.
This list seems very wrong. The US is overrepresented given its relatively short history. The number of breweries in Europe that are older than the US is probably over 100.
1. Kongo Gumi (578 AD, Japan) 3. Specializing in temple construction for over 1,400 years, it was acquired in 2006 but still operates under Takamatsu Construction Group. 2. Drohobych Saltworks (1250, Ukraine) State-owned and Europe’s oldest salt producer, now also a cultural heritage site. 3. Shirley Plantation (1613, USA) Virginia’s oldest family-owned business, operating as a historic farm and museum. 4. Avedis Zildjian Company (1623, USA) The world’s premier cymbal manufacturer, founded in Istanbul and relocated to Massachusetts in 1929. 5. Hudson’s Bay Company (1670, Canada/USA) Originally a fur-trade monopoly, it now operates department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue. 6. White Horse Tavern (1673, USA) America’s oldest continuously running restaurant, serving patrons in Newport, Rhode Island. 7. Baker’s Chocolate (1765, USA) Launched by James Baker in Massachusetts, it remains a baking staple under Kraft Heinz ownership. 8. Laird & Company (1780, USA) The oldest licensed distillery in the U.S., producing applejack since the American Revolution. 9. King Arthur Baking Company (1790, USA) Founded in Boston, it’s now a Vermont-based leader in flour and baking products. 10. Brooks Brothers (1818, USA) America’s oldest clothing retailer, surviving bankruptcy in 2020 and continuing under new ownership.