By McKay Coppins
According to conventional wisdom, the world’s greatest companies have prospered on the backs of hard work, free enterprise, and historic flashes of brilliance. But there’s one motivating factor that isn’t typically discussed in business school: sour grapes. A close look at history reveals that many household brands—as well as some hyped up-and-comers—were born of vengeance and betrayal. If competition is the lifeblood of any capitalistic system, a personal competitive edge tends to drive some of history’s most skilled entrepreneurs. From personal slights to family feuds, here we raise a glass to rivalries—and the corporate giants they sometimes bear.