Lightning in a bottle

The Yanks were the dominant team throughout, outhitting, outfielding, outpitching and outmaneuvering the Dodgers. Brooklyn was not outgamed but the Dodgers, to use Lippy Leo Durocher’s favorite expression, went out to try to catch lightning in a bottle.

Their fate remained in doubt until the very last game of the season. This truly was a team that captured lightning in a bottle.

We tracked down four people who introduced some of the most popular fad items of the past few decades to find out how they handled their sudden prosperity—and rapid exit from the limelight. Some were relaxing and enjoying their spoils. Others were trying to capture lightning in a bottle one more time.

Just like rock bands, authors and Hollywood stars, technology companies can often attribute their rise to the top to a single smash hit. For those lucky few who are talented and lucky enough to catch lightning in a bottle, that single No. 1 album, best-selling book or syndicated television program can be enough to carry their career, and them, for a lifetime.