Baskin-Robbins is the biggest ice-cream company in the world. It was founded in 1945 by Irv Robbins and his brother-in-law Burt Baskin.
The company's selling-point was fun. It offered "31 flavours" — one for each day of the month — and decorated its stores in pink and brown polka dots. Flavours were named after pop-culture moments: Beatle Nut (Beatlemania), 0031 (James Bond) and Lunar Cheesecake (the moon landing). Although it still carries the "31" logo, its flavours now number in the hundreds, including vegan options.
Irv Robbins sold the company to United Fruit in 1967. His son John Robbins rejected the family fortune at 21 and became a prominent vegan activist.
Burt Baskin, who was seriously overweight, died of a heart attack at 54.
"I never let my schooling get in the way of my education."