History Archives

Tesla’s Company History: It Almost Went Bankrupt

What is the Tesla company history? What did the beginning of Tesla look like? What almost brought Tesla to bankruptcy? Tesla was born out of a shared vision for the future and a big investment from Elon Musk. After the first model was built, manufacturing and financing issues quickly followed. In the end, it was a deal from the Department of Energy that saved Tesla and put it on the road to success. Keep reading to learn more about Tesla’s company history.

Jim Crow: The Meaning Behind It & Modern Segregation

What is the meaning of Jim Crow? How is it affiliated with racial segregation in America? Jim Crow means a collection of segregation laws that were active around the post-Civil War era (the 1860s-70s) until 1968. Even after the efforts to abolish slavery and give Black people more power after the Civil War, the Jim Crow laws were formed to prevent Black people from having equal rights. Jim Crow laws don’t exist today, but their fundamental meaning is still a part of the systematic racism seen in contemporary America. Continue reading to learn more about the meaning of Jim Crow

What Is Rational Thought and When Did It Start?

What is rational thought? Where did the concept of rational thought come from? Black Box Thinking answers the question: what is rational thought? The book talks about rational thought and how the Greeks embraced mistakes as crucial to learning. Before this period, worldwide views came from the gods and weren’t challenged. Keep reading to answer the question: what is rational thought?

How Did Elon Musk Start SpaceX With So Little Money?

How did Elon Musk start SpaceX? What set SpaceX apart from other companies in the space industry? Elon Musk started SpaceX because of his belief in the importance of space travel and his frustration with NASA. To do this, he set extremely high expectations and focused on building a rocket cheaply and quickly, which was a unique approach in the space industry. Keep reading to find out how Elon Musk started SpaceX.

How Did Elon Musk Start Tesla? With a Just Cause

How did Elon Musk Start Tesla? Who helped him create the company? Elon Musk started Tesla by investing in J.B. Straubel’s battery technology and Eberhard and Tarpenning’s company, Tesla Motors. Musk suggested that they all work together since they shared the same vision. Keep reading to find out how Elon Musk started Tesla.

What Is Price-Fixing? The General Electric Case

What is price-fixing? Can it be successful? What companies have engaged in it? Price-fixing happens when companies collude to increase their profits by agreeing on a price instead of competing for contracts. Despite the clearly stated laws prohibiting price-fixing, in 1961, 29 companies in the electrical manufacturing industry—most notably General Electric (GE)—were found guilty of repeatedly engaging in the practice for years. Continue reading to learn more about price-fixing and this historic case.

What Happened to Xerox? The Rise & Fall of Innovation

What’s the story of Xerox’s innovative efforts? Where did they go wrong? People can spend years working hard to achieve success, then relax once they get there. John Brooks explains how this complacency can make you blind to threats and weaknesses. He describes how Xerox’s commitment to innovation led to its success—and how its subsequent neglect of innovation led to its decline. Continue reading to learn what happened to Xerox.

The 1962 Stock Market Crash: Panic on Wall Street

Where can panic on Wall Street lead? What’s a “flash crash”? In his essays on Wall Street, John Brooks discusses how letting gut reactions override logical thinking can lead to dire results. He uses the 1962 stock market crash as an example. Continue reading to learn about this incident and what it teaches us about economics and human behavior.

David Lilienthal: One of Wall Street’s Good Guys

Who was David Lilienthal? What can you learn from his story about working with purpose and transitioning from one career to another? The people of Wall Street may have a reputation for pursuing profits at all costs, but John Brooks says that there are those who’ve managed to balance this pursuit with a sense of purpose. Brooks profiles David Lilienthal, former chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and, later, chairman and CEO of the Development & Resources Corporation (D & R). Brooks traces Lilienthal’s career trajectory and how he navigated the transition from public servant to big businessman. Continue

Devaluation of the Pound: Background to the Crisis

Why did the UK devalue its currency in 1967? What events led up to that decision? Could the fallout have been even worse? In 1964, the British pound was struggling. Currency hedgers and speculators were betting against it. An alliance of central banks tried to save the pound from devaluation. It worked, but only temporarily. The UK moved to devalue the pound in 1967. Continue reading to learn more about this historic devaluation of the pound.