2. Donald and Doris Fisher: Founders of an American Icon

3. Personal History Donald –San Francisco native –Middle class family –Father and grandfather involved in real estate

4. Educational Background Donald –Lowell High School –University of California at Berkeley All-American swimmer; star water polo player Popular; Delta Kappa Epsilon (elite fraternity; George Bush, Dan Quayle)

5. The Gap Founded in San Francisco in 1969 Named for “the generation gap” Donald had hard time finding Levi’s that fit his 6- foot-1, 34-inch frame - opened The Gap on Ocean Ave. –Sold Levi’s jeans, records, and tapes –Soon stopped selling records and tapes; expanded clothing line Gap, Inc. operates over 4,200 stores worldwide –The Gap, GapKids, babyGap, GapBody, Gap Outlet, Old Navy, Banana Republic –United States, Canada, France, England, Germany, Japan

6. Promotion Known for innovative, catchy musical commercials Celebrities contracted for recent ad campaigns Most recent: “For Every Generation” –Trying to bring back previously alienated baby boomers, regain ageless appeal

7. Controversial Methods Sweatshops –Unfriendly human rights image –Employed workers in slave-like conditions in Saipan Environmental issues –Criticized for logging and spraying toxic herbicide in Mendocino county –Environmental groups call for boycott