History Archives

Abraham Lincoln’s Legacy: Emancipator or Tyrant?

How do people think of Abraham Lincoln today? What if his life hadn’t been cut short? In And There Was Light, Jon Meacham breaks down the myths and legends surrounding America’s 16th president. He seeks to present a fair and honest account of Abraham Lincoln’s life and concludes with what he believes is a balanced view of the president’s legacy. Continue reading to learn about the weighty and complex issues entailed in Abraham Lincoln’s legacy—and decide for yourself.

Sam Bankman-Fried: Alameda Research & the Quest for More

How a Passive Investment Strategy Wins Big

Why and how did Sam Bankman-Fried build his cryptocurrency empire? Why did his managers and half of his employees quit? According to biographer Michael Lewis, Sam Bankman-Fried’s financial empire began with Alameda Research. Lewis explains why and how Bankman-Fried started the quantitative cryptocurrency trading firm. Read more to learn about the development and rise of Sam Bankman-Fried’s Alameda Research.

The Election of President Lincoln (and a Backlash that Led to War)

Why did the Republican Party choose Abraham Lincoln as a presidential candidate? What backlash did his election receive? Just as Abraham Lincoln was losing a Senate race, he was winning the confidence of his fellow Republicans. Biographer Jon Meacham discusses the election of President Lincoln and how it stirred up a hornet’s nest that put the nation on the path to war. Read more to learn about the election of President Lincoln and the stunning aftermath.

Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX: The Rise Before the Fall

What were the strengths and weaknesses of FTX? How did Sam Bankman-Fried win the confidence of customers? Sam Bankman-Fried found success with his first company, Alameda Research. But, it still didn’t satisfy his desire to practice effective altruism on a grand scale. Biographer Michael Lewis relates why Bankman-Fried started FTX and how the company secured early success. Keep reading to learn about Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX before its collapse.

Who Invented the Semiconductor Chip? A History of Transistors

Who invented the semiconductor chip? And who invented the transistor? The semiconductor chip was invented by Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments in 1958, building on William Shockley’s invention of the transistor in 1947 at Bell Labs. However, there’s more to the story than these individual inventors, and a deeper dive into these inventions shows that there were more players involved. Learn more about the beginnings of the semiconductor chip with this history of invention.

Sic Semper Tyrannis: The Wrath Behind the Lincoln Assassination

What did John Wilkes Booth expect after he assassinated President Lincoln? Why did some people prefer that Booth had been taken alive rather than killed? After April 14, 1865, America would never be the same. That day, President Abraham Lincoln became the target of the wrath that afflicted some who were sympathetic to the Confederacy’s cause and bitter about its demise. Keep reading to understand the anger behind the Lincoln assassination.

What Is Moore’s Law? Predicting the Evolution of Electronics

What is Moore’s law? Can we still use Moore’s law today? Moore’s law states that the number of transistors that can fit on a microchip will double every two years and that the cost of each transistor will decrease. Since it was first predicted in 1965, this has been roughly accurate; however, understanding whether we can use Moore’s law today requires a more thorough look. Read on to learn more about what Moore’s law is and whether it still makes sense today.

How Did Sam Bankman-Fried Get Rich? Michael Lewis Explains

How did Sam Bankman-Fried get rich? What drove him to make money? Sam Bankman-Fried quickly became one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. Biographer Michael Lewis details how Bankman-Fried found financial success in his first job at Jane Street Capital and his first two companies—Alameda Research and FTX. Continue reading to learn how Sam Bankman-Fried became wealthy.

The Japanese Semiconductor Industry: An Economic Miracle

How did the Japanese semiconductor industry get such a foothold internationally? When was it at its strongest? The Japanese semiconductor industry started with entrepreneurs like Akio Morita, founder of Sony, who saw the potential of semiconductors in consumer electronics. Understanding how this industry developed gives you a better sense of where the Japanese semiconductor industry is today. Read on to learn about how Japan’s economy has fluctuated with the development of semiconductors and electronics.

How Sam Bankman-Fried’s Donations Reveal His Values & Aims

What did Sam Bankman-Fried do with his millions and billions? What did think Donald Trump might do if he gave him $5 billion? Sam Bankman-Fried quickly became one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Biographer Michael Lewis says Bankman-Fried used his money in three main ways: Lobbying politicians to further his business interests, donating money to mitigate existential threats, and minimizing the influence of Donald Trump. Continue reading to learn about Sam Bankman-Fried’s donations.