Evolution of the Corporation
The current form for corporations was established in Europe. Corporations enable an idea or financial project to outlive the life of its founder. The legal basis of a corporation allows it to live on after the founder and the rest of the family has died. Apple, for example, was able to fire its founder and then rehire him years later. And, after the death of its founder, Steve Jobs, Apple will continue to operate far into the future. Corporations become entities apart from their founders and owners.