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What's the worst business decision of all time? That's tough because there's a lot of competition.

What about Napoleon selling the Louisiana Territory to the United States?

Eleven and a quarter million dollars was a lot of money, especially back then.

Even so, it was only 22 cents an acre.

How about 20th century Fox selling George Lucas the merchandising rights to Star Wars for just $20,000.

Three billion dollars later, that seems a little short-sighted. In 1876 Western Union could have bought the rights to the telephone for only a hundred thousand dollars.

They told Alexander Graham Bell he could keep his quote electric toy.

And in 1962, Decker Records told Brian Epstein

that four-piece bands with guitars were finished in the record business. So he took

his clients to Parlophone, who were only too happy to sign the Beatles to a recording contract.

Political and military leaders aren't exempt from Blenders either.

In 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia, predicting a short campaign.

It was short all right.

Bitter cold forced his beleaguered army to retreat after just six months.

A century later, Hitler invaded Russia. He too predicted a short campaign.

When the German advance was stopped that same year, Hitler blamed, you guessed it, the

extreme cold for his failure. Richard Nixon's decision to cover up Watergate.

Kennedy supporting the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

The launch of new Coke.

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