This Week in Business History

What sweet treat started as banana flavored, moved to vanilla because of a World War II supply chain disruption, and contains an ingredient also found in rocket fuel? It’s the Twinkie!

In this edition…

In this episode of "This Week in Business History", host Scott W. Luton dives into several factoids and milestones in the Technology Industry; from electrical lighting to (failed) software to lesser-…

In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner shares the story of the first successful passenger elevator, installed on March 23, 1857 in the Haughwout Emporium in New York City. Des…

In this episode of "This Week in Business History", host Scott W. Luton dives into a business legend: the incomparable Liz Claiborne. Scott takes us through key aspects of her journey, from Claiborne…

In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner traces the history of United States paper currency from its first printing in 1862 to the present day. Learn about origins, manufacturin…

Are you a big fan of the OREO cookie like we are? Well, then check out this episode of This Week in Business History where host Scott W. Luton offers up "4 Things You Didn't Know About the OREO". Fro…

In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner turns back the clock and marks the incorporation of NASCAR, the governing body instrumental in turning stock car racing into one of the …

In this episode, host Scott W. Luton dives into "The Business of Valentine's Day", touching on candy hearts, chocolate, flowers and even the history of valentine cards in the U.S. All of these things…

In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner celebrates the birthday of John Deere, founder of the John Deere company. And despite everything you think you know about this well-esta…

In this classic episode of This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton offers up "6 Things You Didn't Know About Black History". He shares stories & accomplishments from legendary figures such…

In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner shares the surprisingly complex history of beer can innovation, starting with the first canned beer going on sale in Richmond, Virginia …

In this episode of This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton dives into the fascinating journey of Reginald F. Lewis, whom Forbes called "the Jackie Robinson of Wall Street". Lewis was a tra…

In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner tells the story of the Bread and Roses strike, or the Lawrence textile strike, that took place in Massachusetts in 1912. It was a turnin…

In honor of National Trivia Day, which is observed every January 4th, host Scott W. Luton tells the backstory of one of the most iconic board games in history: Trivial Pursuit. Scott shares the inter…

In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner takes listeners back to visit an era and a place mythologized by one of the most popular Christmas stories of all time: A Christmas Caro…

In this week's episode, host Scott W. Luton (inspired by a recent trip to Hattie B's) dives into the journeys of two iconic businesses that you probably know - - but shares aspects of their stories t…

In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner celebrates the birth of Clarence Birdseye, the inventor of the frozen foods industry. He worked for years to overcome a number of challe…

In this episode of This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton explores one of his son Ben's favorite topics: Video Games. Scott looks at several aspects related to the history of the video ga…

In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner revels in the business side of Thanksgiving – from turkeys riding on trains to the cost of filling a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ball…

In this episode of This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton visits the story of three leaders that had a profound impact in their communities and in industry. But many folks may not be very…