"Even when the industry is flat, the cash-flow generation of this business is profound, " says David Gartzke, Adesa's chief executive.

FORBES: On the Block

The books are laid flat, allowing light to flow through the structure.

WSJ: Modern Homes: To Doze, To Design in Hong Kong

To simplify (a lot) the tri-gate transistor allows power to flow over three surfaces of a tall and narrow silicon fin, rather than over a flat surface.

FORBES: Intel Introduces 3-D Transistors (Live Notes)