UPS expanded their reach to Germany in 1976, upsetting the locals with the brown shirts. UPS decided to defuse the tensions by changing the uniforms to green.
The original brown color was an exercise in pragmatism since they wouldn't show dirt as easily. Originally co-founder Jim Casey wanted fleets of yellow trucks, but Charles W. Soderstrom managed to change his mind with the sound logic.
Speaking of green, UPS managed to go greener when they optimized their routes for right-hand turns instead of sitting at intersections waiting to make a left-hand turn. They managed to save 10 million gallons in the first year, keeping a whopping $35 million in their pockets. If you're an avid driver, try switching your turn signal and save a few gallons!
