Financial History
The Roman Wall Blues of Modern Finance: Are We Guarding a Crumbling Empire?
W.H. Auden’s poem “Roman Wall Blues” offers a powerful allegory for the disillusionment and decay within our modern financial and economic systems.
The Spy in the Boardroom: Cold War Lessons on Trust, Treachery, and Modern Financial Risk
A Cold War spy scandal offers timeless lessons on insider threats, reputational risk, and corporate governance for today’s financial world.
The Bard’s Billions: What Shakespeare Can Teach Modern Investors About Building Wealth
Discover the surprising financial genius of William Shakespeare and how his 16th-century investment strategies can inform your portfolio today.
The Versailles Echo: Are We Repeating a Century-Old Economic Mistake with Russia?
A century after the Treaty of Versailles, are we repeating a historic economic mistake with Russia? An analysis of the parallels and future implications.
The Ghost in the Machine: Are Modern Trading Apps Just 1920s Bucket Shops in Disguise?
Modern fintech promises to democratize finance, but a historical lens reveals unsettling parallels between today’s trading apps and 1920s bucket shops.
King Henry II’s Sour Grapes: A 12th-Century Lesson in Modern Finance and Supply Chain Risk
A 12th-century king’s massive wine purchase went sour, offering timeless lessons on supply chain risk, value investing, and modern financial technology.
The Buffett of the Brush: J.M.W. Turner’s Timeless Investing Lessons for a Fintech World
Discover how artist J.M.W. Turner’s investment strategy mirrors Warren Buffett’s, offering timeless wisdom for today’s volatile, tech-driven markets.
Echoes from the Archive: Timeless Lessons on Power, Innovation, and Risk for Today’s Investor
A journey into the FT archives reveals timeless lessons on innovation, political risk, and the human drama behind the markets.
Beyond the Spark: Uncovering the True Origins of Financial Fire
Financial innovation isn’t just about a brilliant idea. It requires the right conditions to ignite, a lesson crucial for investors in fintech and blockchain.
The Art of Seeing: Why a 19th-Century Critic’s Wisdom is the Key to Modern Investing
In a world of financial noise, the 19th-century philosophy of John Ruskin—prioritizing direct observation over abstract talk—offers a timeless guide.
The Arkwright Paradox: Lessons from an Industrial Ghost for Modern Finance and ESG
Sir Richard Arkwright’s legacy as a “model employer” is a paradox of philanthropy and exploitation, holding vital lessons for modern ESG investing and finance.
The 1,000-Year-Old Money Tree: What the Song Dynasty Teaches Us About QE, Fintech, and the Future of Money
A 1,000-year-old financial innovation from China’s Song Dynasty holds surprising lessons for modern investing, fintech, and central banking policy.