Because the league struck equipment deals with grade-C companies, the players were stuck with Pop Warner-esque helmets and clunky Pony shoes.

WSJ: Remembering the Late, Great USFL

Since then, every four-star kitchen renovation (and house that expects to sell for asking price) has required restaurant-grade equipment from Viking, Wolf, Gaggenau, Sub-Zero, Bosch and Miele.

WSJ: Keeping Up With the Vikings | Free Decorator

And, if arena-grade equipment is ready in time, the network will be 802.11ac compatible, though it will also support 802.11n, along with 11a, 11b and 11g, regardless.

ENGADGET

As part of my job, I reported alarming inadequacies: in one case high-grade equipment (ASME III, class 1) was operated in nuclear power reactors with no accepted safety file, regardless of a previous accident and a half-dozen failures in achieving acceptable design results.

BBC: Can nuclear power ever be safe?

Another dominant player in their market, Vitamix, has been providing professional-grade mixing equipment to restaurants and stores since the 1950s.

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And Ericsson bought BelAir Networks for an undisclosed sum in February for its carrier-grade Wi-Fi equipment.

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Just weeks later, in 1999, it filed for bankruptcy protection, reeling from downturns in mining and papermaking equipment and freewheeling spending by former chief Jeffrey Grade.

FORBES: The Big Dig

It would require laboratory equipment and scientific knowledge to make a more potent, weapons-grade version, he said.

NPR: 'The Perfect Poison': Ricin Used In 3 Recent Cases

Born poor, he dropped out of 4th grade and survived by shining shoes and learning to operate dangerous equipment in factories.

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