Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford LIVE: The Myth of the Million Dollar Tulip Bulb
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Jan 20, 2023 Discover the wild world of 17th-century tulip frenzy where bulbs were worth a fortune, yet often confused with onions. Dive into the contradictory predictions of Charles Mackay, who famously exaggerated the tulip mania while failing to see the dangers in railway investment. Explore how historical bubbles, like railway mania, relate to modern speculation, including cryptocurrencies. Unravel the societal allure of status symbols and reflect on the complexities of financial behavior through amusing storytelling and critical insight.
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The Sailor and the Tulip
- In 1637, a sailor mistakenly ate a valuable Semper Augustus tulip bulb.
- He thought it was an onion while enjoying his breakfast herring.
Mackay's Inaccuracies
- Charles Mackay's story about the sailor eating the tulip is not true.
- Mackay's account of Tulip Mania is exaggerated and based on unreliable sources.
Tulips as Status Symbols
- Tulips became fashionable status symbols among the wealthy Dutch.
- The rarest, virus-infected varieties fetched exorbitant prices, similar to today's luxury goods.
