Banks’ Own Private Currencies in 19th-Century America
Before the Civil War local banks issued their own money. It was totally legit, too.
“Hard Times Tokens” Were Not One Cent
The counterfeit currencies issued in response to 1837’s coin shortage were worthless—or were they?
Video Game Streams Are Creating New Forms of Community
Khasino, a Marvel Strike Force streamer on Twitch, makes his living playing video games for an audience.
When Big Rewards Don’t Pay Off
One would think that offering potentially big rewards would inspire workers to create better work. A study found a more complicated picture.
Marxferatu: Teaching Marx with Vampires
For a younger generation trying to understand Marxism, the best way in may be: vampirism.
Punishing Forgery with Death
In early nineteenth-century England, forging currency was considered to be such a subversive threat that it was punished with the death penalty.
When Weddings Went Commercial
The rise of industrial production and commercial marketing transformed the way that well-to-do Americans celebrate weddings.
Can Consumer Groups Be Radical?
Historian Lawrence Glickman looked at the consumer movements of the 1930s to find out.
What Is a Bubble?
Tulip bulbs. Housing. Bitcoin? In every bubble, the value of something is based more on peoples' esteem of it, rather than intrinsic worth.