Seattle mountaineer Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Everest in 1963, died at 97. His fame significantly boosted sales at REI, the outdoor retailer he led. In 1971, after joining REI in 1955, sales reached $1 million for the first time, roughly $10.7 million today.

Under his presidency starting in 1971, REI's sales exploded from $3.5 million in 1969 to $28 million by 1977, a near eightfold increase. Whittaker's Everest triumph transformed REI from a mail-order co-op into a global outdoor powerhouse, sparking industry growth. His legacy includes REI's expansion, conservation efforts, and shaping modern outdoor culture.