The Perfect Roof
Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's burger joint in Des Plaines, Ill., in 1955. He soon sold franchises for hundreds of these drive-up joints around the country. By 1963, McDonald's had sold its one-billionth burger.
It was during the fast expansion period of the 1960s that Kroc introduced the well-known, double-sloped Mansard roof. He believed it had a wholesome look. Clearly he had a genius' eye -- soon that double-sloped look became a common feature in hundreds of other stores in strip malls around the country.