The Birth of the Modern American Debt Collector
In the 19th century, farm loans changed from a matter between associates into an impersonal, bureaucratic exchange.
The Invention of Journalistic Objectivity
In the contemporary United States we tend to expect journalists to separate fact and opinion. It's actually a relatively new phenomenon.
Paying for Love in the Caring Economy
Is it terrible to have to pay someone to care for your loved ones? Or could it actually be an effective way to establish a high standard of care?
A 19th-Century Catfishing Scheme
In the late 1800s, a U.K. scheme lured lonely bachelors with newspaper advertisements supposedly placed by wealthy women.
How to Eat Seafood — Sustainably
Fish stocks are collapsing. But you can still enjoy your freshest local seafood without feeling too guilty—and here’s why.
On Brands’ Bad Social Media
The phenomena of brands trying to tweet like teenagers might be new, but brands have been trying to seem cool for decades.
Co-Living, the Hot New Trend of 1898
Chicago's "Eleanor Clubs" were designed to give young, working women affordable and congenial places to live.
What We Mean By “Better Living”
How advertising used the phrase “better living” to portray big business as a force for moral good and continuous progress.
Will You Ever Fly in a Plane Propelled by Plants and Seeds?
Airlines have already flown planes fueled with biofuel-petroleum mixes, and more are coming.