Much like the Reduced Shakespeare Company's performances of all the bard's plays in one evening, in 90 action-packed minutes units and display teams from the three armed services parachuted, charged, marched and drummed their way through a thousand years of imperial history.

ECONOMIST: The Empire strikes back

Several telephone companies and electric utilities formed units to build new cable systems, while entrepreneurs clamored to get in on the action.

FORBES: If You Overbuild It