50 Things That Made the Modern Economy

There are more than 36,000 McDonald's restaurants around the world - but if the McDonald brothers had had their way, that might never have happened. Tim Harford tells the story of how milkshake-mixer salesman Ray Kroc turned their burger business into a global giant, and explains the principles that made his franchising model such a success.

Surveillance cameras were invented so Nazi scientists could observe rocket launches from a safe distance. They've come a long way since then, and are gathering more data about us than ever before. But in a world where millions happily carry smartphones in our pockets, how do we really feel about being watched?

As populations age, pension systems around the world are coming under strain. Governments, employers and economists are searching for ways to alleviate the problem - but could traditional societies hold some valuable lessons?

Why does Father Christmas wear red and white? It's not for the reason you may think. In an updated version of an episode from 2018, Tim Harford tells the story of Christmas and consumerism.

Women's lives were transformed by sewing machines, which made a "never-ending, ever-beginning task" far less arduous and time-consuming. But Isaac Singer, who made his fortune from these devices, was far from a champion of women's rights. Tim Harford tells a story of how self-interest can sometimes be a powerful driver for social change.

Data is a hugely profitable commodity - if you know how to process it. Tim Harford tells the story of Herman Hollerith, and how his 19th-century machine for processing census data laid the foundations for some of the world's most valuable companies.

Explore the intriguing origins of stock options, tracing their roots back to ancient Greece and their evolution in modern business. Discover how these incentives were designed to align executive pay with company performance but often lead to a growing disparity between CEOs and average workers. The discussion critiques whether stock options truly motivate top management or simply inflate their earnings further, raising questions about the effectiveness and morality of executive compensation.

Explore how charity fundraising evolved from tithing to a booming industry in the 1900s. Discover the key figures and economic principles that shaped modern donation trends. Delve into the motivations behind charitable giving, revealing the blend of social signaling and emotional responses that drive people to donate. Learn how the rise of social media is transforming fundraising strategies and shaping effective ways to encourage generosity in a digital age.

Discover how SWIFT revolutionized international banking by enhancing the security and reliability of financial communications. Explore the historical challenges that led to its creation and the geopolitical implications of its global reach. Learn about the evolution of financial messaging, from outdated technologies to modern solutions. Delve into the intricate relationship between banking and politics, and uncover the creative processes influenced by these changes in the financial landscape.

Josiah Wedgwood is arguably the best-known name in the history of pottery - but it's not just his pots that made their mark on history. Tim Harford explains how a business model Wedgwood devised in the 18th Century still underpins the modern fashion industry.