Publications
Publications
- November 2007 (Revised February 2011)
- HBS Case Collection
The Ice King
By: Tom Nicholas and Sandra Nicholas
Abstract
Provides an opportunity to examine the risk-reward tradeoff and the travails of entrepreneurial venturing in the nascent U.S. economy. Traces the origins and development of Frederic Tudor's Ice Company, a business which developed during the 19th century to hack chunks of ice from New England freshwater ponds and transport it by ship for sale around the globe. Explores how Tudor managed operations in ports as far flung as New Orleans, Charleston, Havana, Bombay, and Calcutta, and how he overcame personal difficulties to create a successful business enterprise.
Keywords
Business Startups; Cost vs Benefits; Entrepreneurship; Globalization; Business History; Operations; Risk and Uncertainty; United States
Citation
Nicholas, Tom, and Sandra Nicholas. "The Ice King." Harvard Business School Case 808-094, November 2007. (Revised February 2011.)