History Daily The First-Ever Dow Jones Industrial Average
May 26, 2025
Discover the birth of the Dow Jones Industrial Average amidst the turmoil of the 1893 financial crash. Learn about Charles Dow's journey from a rural farmer to a groundbreaking financial journalist dedicated to transparent reporting. The podcast highlights his fight for impartial journalism and the establishment of Dow Jones & Company, which set new standards in financial integrity. The creation of the stock index itself aimed to simplify data for the public and mark a transformative moment in financial history.
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1893 Panic Sparks Dow's Vision
- Charles Dow experienced the 1893 panic firsthand through a chaotic newsroom hammered by phone calls and urgent reports.
- The panic resulted from major bankruptcies, triggering one of the worst US financial crises and shaping Dow's vision for clearer market information.
Charles Dow's Journey to Wall Street
- Charles Dow left his family farm to pursue journalism, building his career from local reporters to expert financial journalist.
- His integrity and objective reporting won over Wall Street financiers despite pressures to soften his coverage.
Dow and Jones Build Honest News
- Disgusted by Wall Street corruption, Dow and Jones started Dow Jones & Company to deliver honest financial news.
- Their Wall Street Journal gained respect for unbiased reporting and became the go-to source for investors.