15 Things You Never Knew About Amazon

Amazon, a global retail giant, launched as an online bookstore in '94, now sells a vast range of products. Dive in with us to explore some awe-inspiring, lesser-known facts.

The Name “Amazon” Was Inspired by the Largest River

Jeff Bezos named his company Amazon, aiming for an alphabetical top spot. The name reflects his vision of a vast, powerful entity like the world's largest river.

Amazon Started in a Garage

Jeff Bezos initiated Amazon from his garage, using a door as a desk. Today, it's based in Seattle, spanning over 8 million sq. ft.

The First Item Sold on Amazon Was a Book

The first item sold on Amazon was the book "Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies" by Douglas Hofstadter, still available today.

Amazon Has Its Holiday

In 2015, Amazon launched "Prime Day", a holiday offering exclusive deals to Prime members. It now rivals Black Friday and Cyber Monday in significance.

The Amazon Logo Has a Secret Meaning

Amazon's logo, an arrow pointing from "A" to "Z," signifies that they sell everything from A-Z. It also ties into their original name, "Cadabra."

Amazon Owns a Lot of Other Companies

Amazon owns Whole Foods, IMDb, Audible, and Twitch. It's not just an online retailer but also a player in various industries, offering diverse services.

The First Physical Store Was Opened in 2015

Amazon, initially an online retailer, entered physical retail in 2015 with its first store in Seattle. Now, over 23 Amazon Go stores exist in the US.

There Is an “Amazon Coat”

Ever seen a puffer jacket with two horizontal zippers? You've seen the famous, affordable and warm "Amazon coat", an iconic Amazon product.

Amazon Employs Over 1 Million People

With over a million workers globally, Amazon is one of the world's largest private employers. Its numbers keep growing as it opens new fulfillment centers worldwide.

Alexa Is an Inspiration From Star Trek

Alexa, Amazon's virtual assistant, was inspired by Star Trek's computer. Jeff Bezos, a fan of the show, aimed to create a voice-responsive technology. Alexa is now globally popular.

Amazon Owns a Delivery Fleet

Amazon created a fleet of trucks and planes to ensure faster and more efficient product delivery. This gives the company more control over its shipping process and reduces costs.

Jeff Bezos Wasn’t Always the Richest Person in the World

Jeff Bezos wasn't the world's richest until 2017, surpassing Bill Gates briefly. He has since fluctuated between first and second place.

Amazon’s Smile Logo Has a Hidden Message

Amazon's smile logo has an arrow from "a" to "z", signifying it has everything from A to Z. This logo, created in 2000, is still used today.

Amazon Offers a Prime Discount to Low-Income Families

To make its services more accessible, Amazon offers a discounted Prime membership for low-income families that receive government assistance. 

There Is an Amazon Mobile App for Everything

Amazon offers mobile apps for all its services: shopping, music, videos, ebooks. With over 400M downloads, these apps facilitate access to Amazon's offerings.

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