THE GOOD OL' DAYS: Big Brands That Went Away

Nothing lasts forever -- especially businesses.

It's a well-known fact that 90 percent of small businesses fail within five years of starting. So, when a small business fades away, it's not a surprise.

But, it's a little more surprising when a big company disappears.

Here's a rundown of some big brands in history that went away:

• Pan Am -- The airline was founded in 1927 and ended up being the biggest international airline. It ended up filing for bankruptcy in 1991.

• Hummer -- The recession we're still dealing with ended up sinking General Motors' Hummer. GM tried to sell the brand, but there were no takers, and in 2010 it was discontinued.

• E.F. Hutton -- "When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen." That is, until E.F. Hutton merged with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Now, E.F. Hutton doesn't talk.

• Oldsmobile -- The Oldsmobile was a true American icon. The brand was founded in 1897 and its history spanned over 100 years. 35 million units were sold before the car was discontinued.

Source: Yahoo Finance