
Swisspreneur Show EP #100 - Alfred Escher: Wie Ein Unternehmer Die Schweiz Für Immer Veränderte (Ein Gespräch Mit Joseph Jung)
Sep 23, 2020
Joseph Jung, a historian and expert on 19th-century Swiss economic history, shares his insights on Alfred Escher, one of Switzerland's pivotal entrepreneurs. They delve into how the railway decisions of the 19th century reshaped Swiss society, with Escher championing private railway construction. Jung highlights Escher's influence on technical education by founding ETH Zurich and creating financial institutions like Credit Suisse and Swiss Life. The discussion reveals Escher's complex character, visionary leadership, and the long-term impacts of his decisions on modern Switzerland.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Railways As A Century-Defining Choice
- The railway question was the 19th-century strategic window that decided Switzerland's future connectivity and prosperity.
- Whoever solved the railway issue correctly gained a 20–30 year strategic advantage for the country.
Decide Who Builds Infrastructure Fast
- Do decide who builds major infrastructure early: state vs private choices shape regional winners and losers.
- In 1852 Switzerland chose private railway construction and rapidly built one of Europe's densest networks.
Build Schools And Banks Together
- Technical education and domestic capital were missing in 1850s Switzerland and had to be created to support industrial projects.
- Escher founded the ETH and Schweizer Kreditanstalt to supply engineers and investment capital domestically.


