Armand Zildjian, chairman of the Avedis Zildjain company, died recently. If you have seen a drum set, then chances are you have seen the flowing ZILDJIAN mark on cymbals or drumsticks.  The Avedis Zildjian company was founded in Constantinople in 1623 and moved to Massachusetts in 1929.  Zildjian is the oldest family business in the U.S. (the oldest U.S. family business founded in the U.S. is a Southern resort which, I am afraid, started life as slave plantation).

Family Business Magazine has compiled a list of the oldest family businesses in the world.  Number one is a Japanese construction business named KONGO GUMI, now reportedly in its 40th generation.