Can I get chewing gum with that?
 William Wrigley Jr., founder of the Wrigley Company, Patriarch of the Chicago Cubs and chewing gum magnate, started his business selling soap and baking powder in April, 1891. By 1892, Wrigley had begun giving chewing gum away to his customers in exchange for their purchase of his baking powder. When customers started coming back more frequently, asking specifically for the gum, William Wrigley considered a change of career.
By 1919, William had done so well with chewing gum that he purchased a 22 mile long island off the Los Angeles coast known as "Catalina." Among his many side ventures and philanthropic endeavors, (including ownership of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field) William was perhaps most devoted to Catalina. Intent on creating a paradise both for himself and the residents of the island, Wrigley invested enormous time and resources in the improvement of its public facilities (including purchasing steamships for greater accessibility to the mainland) building a casino, hotel, a quarry and several tile and pottery plants, which employed the island's residents. In 1972, The Wrigley family established the Catalina Island Conservancy, which has worked to preserve the wilderness and wildlife of the island for future generations.
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