Business History
Episodes
Herman Petty's Dream: The Struggles of the First Black American to Own a McDonald's
This episode explores the history of Herman Petty, the first Black McDonald’s franchisee, and his pivotal role in reshaping the fast-food industry in 1968.
The Battle of Fort Frick and the Anarchist Assassin
This episode covers the 1892 Homestead Strike, where Henry Clay Frick deployed Pinkerton agents to break the union at Carnegie Steel, sparking a violent battle.
Andrew Carnegie's War with his Workers
Hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith explore the violent 1892 Homestead Steel Strike, contextualizing it within the broader, chaotic struggle between capital and labor in the 1880s.
George Washington’s Trusted Tavern Guide: The Birth of the User Review
Hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith explore the history of user reviews, tracing their evolution from ancient Mesopotamian copper complaints to…
The DeLorean Saga: Fraud, Drug Deals and Marty McFly's Car
Tim Harford, Robert Smith, and Jacob Goldstein explore the rise and fall of John DeLorean, from his GM success to his infamous cocaine sting.
The Tangled Story of Instant Ramen
This episode of Business History explores the rise of instant ramen and its creator, Momofuku Ando.
Billy Beer: When American Beer Hit Bottom, Then Bounced Back
This episode explores how the contrasting legacies of Jimmy and Billy Carter shaped the American beer industry.
The Printing Press: The Invention Built on Debt and Sin
Hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith explore the business history behind Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press.
The Robberiest Robber Baron: The Villainy of Jay Gould
This episode of Business History explores the life of Jay Gould, a notorious Gilded Age financier known for manipulating railroads and the gold market.
The Factory That Was Wiped Off The Map (From Cautionary Tales)
The Nobel Winners Who Almost Crashed the Economy
Hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith explore the rise and catastrophic fall of Long-Term Capital Management, a hedge fund founded by John…
A Store Owner You Can Trust: John Wanamaker, Returns and the Price Tag
Hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith explore how John Wanamaker revolutionized American retail by introducing fixed prices and return policies to solve the era’s trust deficit.