The Impact of the Titanic on American History

The idea that the ship was recklessly put in danger as part of a strategy by White Starline, and that Is Made was the man behind it dates from the Nazi propaganda movie Titanic. I suppose there's probably a broader discussion about when in our culture did conspiracy theories acquire such mainstream legitimacy. There is no evidence whatsoever and a mountain to the contrary to back up any of the conspiracy theories. Also, it's a crowded market. Sometimes there are historians or writers who want to get a jumpstart on sales.