Check out this graphical presentation of the history of American finance (h/t Matt Busigin). Laid side-to-side, this incredible visual results in roughly 80 feet of political and economic history from 1861 to 1935. American ingenuity, war, speculation, market manipulation, panics, trade wars, natural disasters, etc.
And be sure to study the legend carefully. To learn more about Ayers’ Index of Business Activity, see here. Enjoy!