From electric-eye doors to wide aisles and company ownership, Mr. George founded our company on innovation.

Let me share parts of the letter from Mr. George to stockholders in the 1962 Publix progress report.

Many people ask us what the Publix market of the future will be like. They wonder about drive-in markets, where it would be possible to do their grocery shopping without leaving their cars. Others imagine a world-of-tomorrow Publix where the greatest amount of business would be carried on over the phone — a color TV phone. Mrs. Jones could then approve the cut of beef or package of tomatoes she wants, while she orders her supply of name-brand staples. 

Though we realize that such world-of-tomorrow concepts are not possible today, we don’t laugh. For it seems only yesterday that people laughed at the idea of automatic doors, frozen dinners which take but moments to prepare, or music which could fill every corner of an air-conditioned, attractively decorated market.

When all is said and done, no matter how attractive our stores are. No matter how efficient and practical the machinery. No matter how high the quality of the products we offer. It’s the people at Publix who are responsible for our great success and continued growth. After all, a meat cooler cannot smile and explain the best way to cook a certain cut of meat, and a cash register has yet to learn to smile and say thank you, and a wall directory never seems as helpful as a clerk or bag boy who is genuinely happy to help. 

It is only the people at Publix who can join in the civic activities of the communities in which they live, doing their part to help their town and, at the same time, creating the goodwill that makes the Publix image. The pleasant image causes people to say, “I shop at Publix because it really is more pleasant to shop there and because … well, just because I like it better.”

Those are amazing words from an amazing visionary. What seemed impossible 60 years ago is what we’re doing today. And now it’s up to each of us to dream about tomorrow. Share your ideas on Idea Spot and help make them a reality.

Thanks for all you do.

Read more messages from Todd.