Business

Business History

It’s the history of business. How did Hitler’s favorite car become synonymous with hippies? What got Thomas Edison tangled up with the electric chair? Did someone murder the guy who invented the movies? Former Planet Money hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small and find out what you can learn from those who founded them.

Latest Episodes:

The Edison Invention People Don't Talk About (Thomas Edison, Pt. 1) Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

Thomas Alva Edison helped transform America and the world. He registered over one thousand patents before he died in 1931 - and we can thank him for advances in electric power, communications technology, music recording and even the movies. But his biggest breakthrough doesn't get nearly enough attention.

In many ways, Edison invented modern inventing. Join Business History hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith as they trace the life story of a scrappy young boy with bad hearing who almost singlehandedly invented R&D.

Write to us at businesshistory@pushkin.fm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Secret of Southwest's Success: Free Whisky, Hot Pants and Low, Low Fares Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

It's hard to make money running an airline - but Southwest was profitable every year for nearly five decades. How did it manage it? Business History hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith explore how a carrier with just four airplanes shuttling across Texas revolutionized flying by offering free whisky, cheap late-night tickets and free-for-all seating allocation.

Southwest developed a winning formula that forced its competitors to change how they did business - but then the Southwest model fell apart. Find out why.

Write to us at businesshistory@pushkin.fm

Key books: Hard Landing by Thomas Petzinger Jr; Nuts by Kevin and Jackie Frieberg

Other sources: The Theory of Economic Regulation by George Stigler; Fortune Magazine: The Rapid Descent of Southwest Airlines; Southwest Airlines: When Herb Met Rollin.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming Soon: Business History with Robert Smith and Jacob Goldstein Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Was the world's most lovable car originally made just to please Hitler? And what links Thomas Edison and the electric chair? From Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith of Planet Money fame comes Business History, a new show uncovering amazing stories from the history of business.

From sandals to suits, Business History brings to life the greatest innovations, the boldest entrepreneurs and the craziest mavericks in the annals of commerce and finance. We’ll explain why some company stocks soar, while other business ideas crash, and share the valuable lessons.

Starting November 5, listen to Business History wherever you get podcasts and get it ad-free with a Pushkin+ subscription - sign up on Business History Apple Podcasts show page or at pushkin.fm/plus

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.