In 1887, a man named Richard Sears placed an ad in the Chicago Daily news that read: "WANTED: Watchmaker with reference who can furnish tools. State age, experience, and salary required". A young Hoosier named Alvah C. Roebuck responded and six short years later, the corporate firm of Sears, Roebuck and Co. came into existence. The company became well known for its famed mail-order catalogues (discontinued in 1993), and the fair and expedient services it provided to thousands of rural families. This site brings some of the Sears corporate history to life through narrative historical essays on the company's development, a fine history of its legendary "Big-Book" catalog, and individual store histories as well. For those with an interest in the Sears Modern Homes (sold by Sears from 1908-1940), there is also a great section on these structures, which although not innovative in their designs were part of a broader effort to extend home ownership to the general public. The site is rounded out by a selection of annual company reports and facts about the history of the company.