In 1857, Waltham, Massachusetts jumped from the First to the Second Industrial Revolution by becoming the global home of the mass-produced pocketwatch, capitalizing on the railroad industry and then the American Civil War.
Links and notes for ep. 458 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AFD-Ep-458-Links-and-Notes-1IR_-Watch-City.pdf
Theme music by Stunt Bird.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
To prepare for a series on early industrial Massachusetts we’re unlocking this episode from Patreon: Bill and Rachel examine what an 1842 Massachusetts court decision can tell us about the process of industrialization and the emergence of labor unions and what parallels we can draw for modern gig workers.
Links and notes for ep. 349 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bonus-AFD-Ep-349-Links-and-Notes-State-level-labor-law-part-2_-Early-history.pdf
Theme music by Stunt Bird.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Unlocked from our Patreon: Bill and Rachel discuss the 2005 documentary “Sir! No Sir!” on US military service members who resisted the Vietnam War.
Links and notes for ep. 373 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Bonus-AFD-Ep-373-Links-and-Notes-Military-Resistance-to-the-Vietnam-War.pdf
Theme music by Stunt Bird.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Bill and Rachel discuss some interesting American history topics from 150, 100, and 50 years ago that did not make the cut for their own full anniversary episodes this year.
Links and notes for ep. 454 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AFD-Ep-454-Links-and-Notes-2022-Year-End-Anniversary-Roundup-Episode.pdf
Theme music by Stunt Bird.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Bill and Rachel examine the relatively minor failed Burlington railroad engineers and firemen strike in 1888, which had a profound effect on Eugene V. Debs.
Links and notes for ep. 452 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AFD-Ep-452-Links-and-Notes-Burlington-railroad-strike-of-1888.pdf
Theme music by Stunt Bird.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Rachel and Bill discuss the history of the microwave oven since its invention at a defense contractor.
Links and notes for ep. 451 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AFD-Ep-451-Links-and-Notes-Microwave-Oven.pdf
Theme music by Stunt Bird.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
In this mini-episode, Rachel explains the invention of Ed Pulaski’s popular firefighting tool, a combination axe and adze, after the infamous Big Burn forest fire in Idaho in August 1910.
Links and notes from ep. 450 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AFD-Ep-450-Links-and-Notes-The-Pulaski-Tool.pdf
Theme music by Stunt Bird.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
