Department stores celebrate the holidays
Retail visionary R.H. Macy was friends with legendary showman P.T. Barnum -- two rich guys hanging out in the 1860s. Why is this important now? Because had Barnum not suggested to Macy that he put his prized collection of mechanical toys in the windows of his flagship store in New York City at Christmastime, we might not be enjoy the over-the-top holiday displays we do today. Associated Press
