Aquarium

Lore & Background

Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward proposed using his Wardian cases for plants, not tropical animals; he did not house real animals in them. Anne Thynne maintained stony corals and seaweed for over three years, credited as the creator of the first balanced marine aquarium in London.

Reader's Guide

The aquarium's significance lies in its role as both a scientific tool and a popular hobby. From the early experiments of Villepreux-Power and Warington to the public displays by Gosse, aquaria enabled the study of aquatic ecosystems and the keeping of fish, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and plants. In the United States, Henry Bishop revolutionized the business in the 1870s-1880s. The designs of Takashi Amano in the late twentieth century emphasized aesthetic compositions, influencing fishkeepers worldwide.

Did You Know?

• The term 'aquarium' was coined by English naturalist Philip Henry Gosse.
• The first mechanical aquarium air pump, powered by running water, was invented in the late 19th century.

From a Liquor Store Counter to an Outdoor Empire

His dad, John A. Morris, a World War II veteran, had instilled in his son a deep love for the outdoors through years of family hunting and fishing trips. What started as a modest counter-side operation quickly grew as customers kept calling in for specialized gear even after they had moved away from the area. That single Ozarks location would eventually become the anchor for a nationwide retail network and a sprawling collection of resorts, museums, and marine brands.

Stores as Living Habitats

Every Bass Pro Shops location is designed to feel less like a retail store and more like stepping into a natural landscape. The company operates five distinct store formats—Outdoor World, Outpost, Stick Marsh Outpost, Sportsman's Center, and White River Outpost—each carrying its own thematic identity. Outpost stores lean into a rustic cabin aesthetic with local antiques and trophy mounts. Fourteen locations feature full replica natural-habitat displays crafted by TreeScapes & PlantWorks.

A Decade of High-Stakes Acquisitions

Bass Pro Shops has repeatedly used bold acquisitions to reshape the outdoor retail landscape.

Conservation, Community, and Controversy

Bass Pro Shops has woven conservation and civic support into its corporate identity. The company funds conservation initiatives, backs organizations serving U.S. Armed Forces members and veterans, and promotes outdoor education and recreation for young people. Yet the company's public generosity has not gone unchallenged. This tension between the brand's conservation-minded image and its corporate-scale financial dealings remains one of the most debated aspects of the company's public profile.