Essays in Economic and Business History  

Michael V. Namorato (ed.)

Essays in Economic & Business History 2000

Antonio Calabria

This essay identifies a problem whose solution would greatly enhance ouru nderstanding of the developing capitalist system in early modern Europe (XIV-XVIII centuries). The problem revolves around the near disappearance of Tuscan entrepreneurs and Tuscan ... see more

Erik Benson

Even as World War Two hung in the balance, the United States looked to the postwar period as a time of opportunity for international airlines. However, U.S. officials disagreed over the best course of action for the future. Would they support one airline ... see more

Mohammed Ansari,Carl H. Tong,Allen L. Bures

The US trade deficit with the rest of the world rose during the 1985-1995 period and the trade deficit with Japan accounted for the major share of the overall US trade deficit. This article provides measures of US trade deficits with Japan, offers an anal... see more

Ralp O. Gunderson

This article chronicles the the 19th Century origins of the manufacturing sectors of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the Fox Cities of Wisconsin. Despite close geographic proximity and the common bond of the Fox River, these communities have followed different pa... see more

Mary Eschelbach Hansen

The role of middlemen in the market for grain changed with the advent of standardized grain grading. Prior to grain grading, economies of scale were limited because of the requirement that middlemen develop strong personal reputations though the maintenan... see more

Harvey Graham Hudspeth

This essay examines the Supreme Court of Harlan Fiske Stone and its record in the area of government regulation of the economy. As most scholars know, the pre-1937 Court was often dominated by an infamous “Four Horseman” team of economic conservatives who... see more

W. David Lewis

Edward V. (Eddie) Rickenbacker (1890-1973) is best remembered for hisrecord as a combat pilot in World War I, in which he shot down 26 Germa naircraft and won fame as America’s "Ace of Aces." From 1934 until 1963 he was general manager, president, and boa... see more

Barbara Libby

This paper will discuss the existence of a Canadian Political Business Cycle (PBC) during the period 1946-1989. Logit analysis was used to determine if changes in the unemployment rate, growth of real GNE and the rate of inflation are significantly differ... see more

Stephen E. Lile

This paper examines the changing market shares of major Texas religious groups during this century. Market shares are computed by dividing membership by Texas population. Results show that certain religious groups (firms) have performed much better in ter... see more

Laurence J. Malone

This paper outlines a sequential process of technological innovation in the emergence of the electrical industry in the United States from 1830 to 1880. Successive inventions that realize the commercial possibilities of electricity provided the foundation... see more

Nikki Mandell

Turn-of-the-century advocates of corporate welfare work promoted a familial model of labor relations which opened the doors of labor management to women. Scientific management experts argued instead for personnel management based on a consumer marketplace... see more

David L. Mason

Although America’s thrift industry originated in 1831, it did not truly grow until the 1880s when the country was entering the Second Industrial Revolution. By then thrifts were becoming an important source of home finance for the urban working class, who... see more

Don Matthews

In his great work The Visible Hand: The Managerial Revolution in American Business, Alfred Chandler argues that the modern managerial enterprise replaced the invisible hand of the market in coordinating the activities and allocating the resources of the U... see more

John W. Miller

Frontier editors faced numerous challenges in the attempt to set up a newspaper operation on the American frontier. The editors had to determine which community offered the best possibility for success and then transport a printing press and equipment to ... see more

Kenneth Weiher

Prompted by the inflation-adjusted Dow Jones Industrials Average setting its first record high in almost thirty years in 1995, this paper studies the impact of inflation on nominal and real stock prices from a theoretical, historical, and empirical perspe... see more

David O. Whitten

The earliest European immigrants in America traveled on waterways and on pathways worn into the earth by animals and Native Americans. Once their communities began to thrive, settlers widened paths and cleared new roads and streets then began experimentin... see more

Silvano A. Wueschner

This paper examines the controversy arising out of Great Britain’s decision to implement the Stevenson plan. It examines, in particular, the role played by Herbert Hoover, both behind the scenes and in an effort to affect the repeal of the Stevenson schem... see more

David A. Zalewski

A debate about the appropriate role of monetary policy during periods of high stock prices has accompanied the spectacular rise of U.S. equity returns during the late 1990s. Some economists argue that the Federal Reserve should attempt to deflate share va... see more

Michael W. Brandl

For over a decade and a half macroeconomists who study economic growth have been embroiled in a debate over the issue of economic convergence. That is, for similar economies do poorer economies tend to catch-up to richer economies? The answer to the quest... see more

Edward C. Koziara,Chiou S. Yan

This paper traces the naval history of the U.S.S. Olympia and incorporates many photographs to display the current condition of the ship. The paper begins with a brief history of the U.S.S. Olympia and its role in the Spanish-American War, its part as the... see more

Philip R. Smith

Obituary of Jack Blicksilver (1926-1999).

Michael V. Namorato (ed.)

Essays in Economic & Business History 2000