Opinion

Ron Popeil was an incomparable huckster — but wait! There’s more!

An old saying of uncertain provenance promises that if you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door. As a model of commerce it works sometimes. The lightbulb was better than gaslight. The telegraph was a big improvement over carrying messages on horseback.

But there is another — and perhaps more thoroughly American — strategy. Instead of improving on something that people need, dream up a product for which there is no need at all. And then talk the world into wanting it. Don’t wait for the world to beat a path. Grab the world by the throat and browbeat it into four low monthly payments. Talk fast, with a big smile, and remember your ABCs: Always be closing.