Utilities, however, are concerned about being able to recover the investment needed to switch to this new technology, and about potential backlash when customers see on their bills that they are paying much more to run their air conditioners on so-called "critical" days--like the dog days of August.

FORBES: What Would You Pay To Stay Cool?

But in a strange conjunction of events, it may have been this same black dog - together with the intervention of a loyal friend during a few fateful days in early May 1940 - that enabled Churchill to achieve the position from which he could alter the course of history.

BBC: A Point of View: Churchill, chance and the 'black dog'

The big mobile phone players are launching new handsets in the coming days which will be crucial in deciding who'll be top dog in this lucrative business - or, in some cases, whether they survive as a major player.

BBC: September smartphones