Chains of Credit: The Entrepreneurial Advantage of Slavery
As the financial history of Maryland shows, slavery represented extraordinarily liquid wealth and outsized political power.
The Lemon Gang: Citrus and the Rise of the Mafia
Poverty, disparities in wealth, widespread brigandage, and the dissolution of the feudal system enabled the predatory practices of Sicily’s citrus mafia.
Eleutheria: A Lost Utopia in the Caribbean
The Eleutherian Adventurers departed Bermuda for the Bahamas in 1647, hoping to create the first democracy in the Americas.
Boom, Bust, and the “World’s Littlest Skyscraper”
The discovery of oil near Wichita Falls in 1911 not only brought money to the Texas town, it brought a swindler who promised the sky(scraper).
Was She Really Rosie?
The unlikely, true story of the Westinghouse “We Can Do It” work-incentive poster that became an international emblem of women’s empowerment.
“Hard Times Tokens” Were Not One Cent
The counterfeit currencies issued in response to 1837’s coin shortage were worthless—or were they?
Why the Pilgrims Were Actually Able to Survive
If you were reading Bradford's version of events, you might think that the survival of the Pilgrims' settlements was often in danger.
Why Aren’t Yellow School Buses Green?
There is a new push for electric school buses, which would pollute less. But the electric-powered vehicle is actually a very old technology.
Colonialism Created Navy Blue
The indigo dye that created the Royal Navy's signature uniform color was only possible because of imperialism and slavery.