This commentary focuses on how international business emerged and developed in the formative phase of the field’s history. It addresses the need for more research on Hambrick and Chen’s concept “aspiring community”, and for a critical examination of the borders between teaching and research in this and the formative period. Further, the commentary also highlights the historical methodological principle of chronology by referring to how Vernon got involved in case production prior to his MNE research project. Finally, it highlights the important role of the more than two hundred scholars who wrote teaching case.