The automobile itself was somewhat like a Trojan Horse. The business practices and consumption culture that was ushered in at the beginning of the 20th century would come to be known as Fordism. In this episode Nate & Dan discuss the life and legacy of Henry Ford, how he revolutionized manufacturing and how he created a brand new "want" among consumers. 

When rumors of untold riches in the East Indies started swirling around London's merchant class in the late 16th century, a corporation was soon formed to take advantage. Over the next 2 centuries this relatively small group would go on to be one of the world's first global empires. And while the British East India Company raised the standards of living back home, the same could not be said for India. In this podcast Nate & Dan discuss the first ever "mega-cap" stock. 

Nate & Dan finish the story of the original Black Friday and how Jay Gould and Jim Fisk were able to arrange the New York legislature to award them instead of their rivals. 

In September of 1869 some of the country's wealthiest people fought over gold. The bulls were led by Jay Gould and Jim Fisk while the bears were organized by Jay Cooke and James Brown. The sitting US president Ulysses Grant was also involved. The story takes place during the Gilded Aged and is a prime example of the corruption and wealth that was on display during the post-Civil War period. 

In 1720 the British public were one of the first peoples to experience mass market manipulation. In this month's episode Nate & Dan discuss the story of the South Sea company which was granted a monopoly to trade in the new world by the British government. What ensued was a classic financial bubble. 

In this episode Nate and Dan are joined by Dave Blazejewski to discuss the bankruptcy of Penn Station (the largest ever at the time) and why passenger rail transport all but disappeared from corporate America during the second half of the 20th century. 

Nate & Dan continue discuss the history of railroads in America. In the month's episode, they talk about the story of the second transcontinental railroad which essential bankrupted one of the country's richest men, Jay Cooke. 

In this month's episode, Nate and Dan recall one of the most corrupt events in American history. At the time it was started, no one believed that the Transcontinental Railroad would be profitable. The federal government had to put up the cash for the project initially. And when the government sponsors such a huge project, the cash starts flowing - and many times in unintended directions. 

In 1868 two of the country's most powerful and wealthiest men battled it out for control of the Erie Railway. Cornelius Vanderbilt and Daniel Drew were the epitome of "frenemies". They were also not shy about bribing lawmakers and the politicians were happy to take their cash. 

In part two of this conversation Nate and Dan talk about how the gold standard in the US began to wane beginning with Great Depression and ending when President Nixon official cut the link.