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Sol Polk (May 14, 1917 – May 15, 1988) was an American businessman and co-founder of appliance retailer Polk Brothers."United States Social Security Death Index,"
: 20 May 2014), Sol Polk, 15 May 1988; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
Polk Brothers became wildly popular as the first appliance retailer to sell at a discount to the suggested manufacturers retail price Chicago Tribune: "End Of An Era: Polk Bros. To Close Doors' by John Schmeltzer April 03, 1992 and in the 1950s and 1960s, Polk Brothers became the largest retailer of brand-name appliances in the country with 15 stores and over $100 million in annual sales. Polk Brothers was also the first retailer of color television sets and microwave ovens in the country.
Polk had a reputation as showman and master merchandiser for his innovative and bold marketing campaigns. He was one of the first to advertise in color on television which helped to fuel the purchase of color television. In 1957, he offered a job to the unemployed Lord Mayor of Dublin and in 1966, he bought 250,000 pineapples and handed them out to customers.
Polk Brothers closed in 1992 and its assets transferred to the Polk Bros. Foundation. Chicago Tribune: "Chicago's Polk family gives $20 million to Navy Pier" By Kathy Bergen July 17, 2014 The Polk Family Foundation subsequently donated $20 million to the redevelopment of Navy Pier; the park and fountain at the entrance to the pier was named the Polk Brothers Park and Fountain. Chicago Tribune: "The new fountain at Navy Pier is open" By Kori Rumore, Phil Geib, Jemal R. Brinson and Nausheen Husain May 26, 2016
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