The Mini was one of the first cars to popularize the use of the universal joint in the drive train, previously used in submarine control gear.

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Founded in 1904 after Clarence Spicer patented the encased universal joint, which enabled the modern-day automobile, Wood saw similar engineering prowess buried inside the company now.

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In June it entered into a joint venture with Universal Music Group to create a new label, Desi Hits Universal, fully funded by the record label giant.

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In late July, Amazon was in talks with MySpace about becoming the social networking giant's download store partner when it rolls out its highly anticipated joint venture with Universal, Warner Music and Sony BMG in September.

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Young Singh found a mentor in George Hoddy, founder of Universal Electric in Michigan, a joint-venture partner.

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Digital Deals: Universal Music is part of the joint venture Pressplay, but it also runs a handful of smaller, somewhat disparate digital music sites that it's acquired as struggling dot-coms went looking for corporate cover.

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News Corp. and General Electric 's NBC Universal finally have a name for their joint-venture online video network: Hulu.

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Andy Schuon, president and chief executive officer of Pressplay, an online music service formed as a joint venture of Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group.

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The joint venture, which will consist of the NBC Universal (NBCU) businesses and Comcast's cable networks, regional sports networks and certain digital properties and certain unconsolidated investments, will be well positioned to compete in an increasingly dynamic and competitive media and digital environment.

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