Americans everywhere know the brand he created. But not enough people know the man behind the brand that revolutionized how Americans buy almost everything we need to remodel, repair or take care of our most precious physical asset and a fundamental part of what constitutes the American dream: our homes.Bernie Marcus, the co-founder of Home Depot, died Monday at the age of 95. But it's how he lived that's worth celebrating.
Why not put everything under one roof, cut out the middlemen and go direct to the manufacturers? And make home improvement easier, better and more affordable? Thus, Home Depot was born.But the founders didn't stop there. Home Depot also demystified the mechanics of plumbing, electrical wiring and construction, staffing stores with knowledgeable salespeople who could answer shoppers' questions and guide them to the proper equipment.