How We Got Here

Henry Ford's dreams have a profound effect on 20th-century events.

The Hearst media empire's roots stretch back to the California Gold Rush.

Samuel Colt's revolver helps win the West and revolutionizes US industry.

Samuel Morse's wife's death helped inspire speed-of-light communications.

The triumph of blue jeans starts when a Russian tailor meets Levi Strauss.

The American Red Cross depends on Clara Barton surviving the Civil War.

Watergate may not have come to light if Bob Woodward never met Mark Felt.

Adolphus Busch must survive the Civil War to bring his beer to the masses.

A one-time telegraph operator is a titan of Big Steel and philanthropy.

A young bookkeeper bets every penny he has on a fledgling upstart industry.

Two young mechanics have the idea to put an engine inside a bicycle frame.