Berkshire Hathaway began as a failing textile maker. Warren Buffett later called buying it his "dumbest" investment — yet the name stuck to what became one of history’s greatest holding companies.

Berkshire Hathaway has never split its Class A shares. A single Class A share now costs more than a house — Warren Buffett kept it that way to attract long-term owners, not traders.

Warren Buffett is one of the greatest investors of all time — and for a moment he looked completely out of step. In the 20 months leading into the March 2000 dot-com peak, Berkshire Hathaway’s stock fell about 45% while the Nasdaq 100 nearly tripled. Buffett was right in the end; it just took longer than the market’s patience.

Warren Buffett bought his first stock at age 11 — three shares of Cities Service preferred — and later called it a lesson in patience after he sold too early and watched it soar.