Could the post office be the single largest cause of America's expansion to Westward?  When you look at it through Maslow's lens, it just may be. Sears, Greeting Cards, Charles Lindbergh, Benjamin Franklin, King William III, the California Gold Rush, the Boston Tea Party . . . and Addressing the Unaddressed in Calcutta. Let's talk about the 7 most important words in the U.S. Constitution.

Could the post office be the single largest cause of America's expansion to Westward? When you look at it through Maslow's lens, it just may be. Sears, Greeting Cards, Charles Lindbergh, Benjamin Franklin, King William III, the California Gold Rush, the Boston Tea Party . . . and Addressing the Unaddressed in Calcutta. Let's talk about the 7 most important words in the U.S. Constitution.

Could the post office be the single largest cause of America's expansion to Westward?&nbsp; When you look at it through Maslow's lens, it just may be. Sears, Greeting Cards, Charles Lindbergh, Benjamin Franklin, King William III, the California Gold Rush, the Boston Tea Party . . . and Addressing the Unaddressed in Calcutta. Let's talk about the 7 most important words in the U.S. Constitution.&nbsp;

Episode 23: Did the Post Office Grow America?

Tracing The Path explores how ordinary people, products, ideas, and moments unexpectedly shaped the modern world. Every episode begins with something familiar—a word, a company, a song, an invention, a historical event, or a cultural phenomenon—and follows the surprising chain of connections that made it matter. Why did a grocery store change the course of the Cold War? How did a simple greeting become part of everyday life? What do advertising agencies, world leaders, musicians, inventors, and soft drink companies have in common? More than you might think. Hosted by award-winning storyteller Dan R. Morris, Tracing The Path uncovers the forgotten figures, unexpected decisions, and hidden connections behind the people, products, places, and ideas that shaped the 20th Century—and continue to influence our lives today. Inspired by the storytelling traditions of Paul Harvey, Charles Kuralt, Charles Osgood, and Garrison Keillor, each episode is crafted to leave you with that rare feeling: "I had no idea." Whether we're exploring world-changing inventions, iconic brands, cultural turning points, political upheavals, or everyday objects hiding extraordinary histories, you'll discover that history is far more connected than it first appears. Because the modern world didn't appear overnight. Someone built it. Something changed it. Every path has a beginning. New episodes monthly, plus bonus Addendum episodes featuring the stories that didn't make the final cut. Visit TracingThePath.com for episode transcripts, discussion questions, trivia, and additional resources.

History

Tracing The Path explores how ordinary people, products, ideas, and moments unexpectedly shaped the modern world. Every episode begins with something familiar—a word, a company, a song, an invention, a historical event, or a cultural phenomenon—and follows the surprising chain of connections that made it matter. Why did a grocery store change the course of the Cold War? How did a simple greeting become part of everyday life? What do advertising agencies, world leaders, musicians, inventors, and soft drink companies have in common? More than you might think. Hosted by award-winning storyteller Dan R. Morris, Tracing The Path uncovers the forgotten figures, unexpected decisions, and hidden connections behind the people, products, places, and ideas that shaped the 20th Century—and continue to influence our lives today. Inspired by the storytelling traditions of Paul Harvey, Charles Kuralt, Charles Osgood, and Garrison Keillor, each episode is crafted to leave you with that rare feeling: "I had no idea." Whether we're exploring world-changing inventions, iconic brands, cultural turning points, political upheavals, or everyday objects hiding extraordinary histories, you'll discover that history is far more connected than it first appears. Because the modern world didn't appear overnight. Someone built it. Something changed it. Every path has a beginning. New episodes monthly, plus bonus Addendum episodes featuring the stories that didn't make the final cut. Visit TracingThePath.com for episode transcripts, discussion questions, trivia, and additional resources.

Share Episode 23: Did the Post Office Grow America?

Sign up to save your podcasts

Episode 23: Did the Post Office Grow America?

Episode 23: Did the Post Office Grow America?

More shows like Tracing The Path: The Connected 20th Century

This American Life

Radiolab

Fresh Air

The New Yorker Radio Hour

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

The Moth

99% Invisible

Global News Podcast

Wonder Cabinet

Pod Save America

The Daily

Today, Explained

Start Here

Throughline

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford