Renting an Empire: The United States in the Caribbean and the Arctic in the Twentieth Century with Henry Jacob
The United States empire is unlike any other in history. Among its unique attributes is the ability of Americans to project power, extract resources, and exercise hegemony without direct control and ownership of territory.
In his dissertation research, Henry Jacob, PhD candidate at Yale University, compares the American imperial projects in the Caribbean and Arctic regions to assess their similarities using multiple collections held in the Hagley library, including the National Foreign Trade Council papers. Jacob argues that the United States developed a technique of empire by rental, or real estate, which served the interests of American business and government.
In support of his work Jacob received funding from the Center for the History of Business, Technology, and Society at the Hagley Museum and Library. For more information, and more Hagley History Hangouts, visit us online at hagley.org.
To make a donation underwriting this program and others like it please visit our donations page: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=tcs&formId=c2f4e3f6-2d8a-4251-9a8b-cfdea1fe0e4a&envid=p-wYaPX570-EiMzBCsCu8rSg&zone=usa
14 Sept 2026
She’s the Boss: The Rise of Women’s Entrepreneurship Since World War II with Debra Michals
Women own over 40% of businesses in the United States and are responsible for a large majority of new business startups. How did this come to be?
Dr. Debra Michals, associate professor and chair of the humanities department at Merrimack College, answers this question in her book She’s the Boss: The Rise of Women’s Entrepreneurship Since World War II (Rutgers University Press, 2025). Contrary to popular misconceptions about feminism pushing women into business, Michals finds that economic need drove women into business. More surprisingly, Michals finds that sexism and racism increased the numbers of women entrepreneurs by limiting their access to economic resources by other means.
In support of her work Dr. Michals received funding from the Center for the History of Business, Technology, and Society at the Hagley Museum and Library. For more information, and more Hagley History Hangouts, visit us online at hagley.org.
To make a donation underwriting this program and others like it please visit our donations page.
31 Aug 2026
Solar Challenger: Energy, Environment, and Solar Aviation, 1976-1981 with Karlyn Allenbrand
Solar Challenger: Energy, Environment, and the Spectacle of Solar Aviation, 1976-1981
Ben Spohn interviews Karlyn Allenbrand about her ongoing dissertation research on the Solar Challenger, the world's first solar-powered airplane built by Dr. Paul MacCready's company AeroVironment.
Allenbrand argues that from the start MacCready recognized that the Solar Challenger was a promotional project meant to highlight the potential of solar power and renewable energy rather than become a commercially viable alternative to fossil fuel burning aircraft. In addition to using photovoltaic cells for power, the aircraft was made in partnership with DuPont who had an interest in highlighting the viability of their plastic products.
Karlyn Allenbrand is currently a Phd student at University of Delaware.
For more Hagley History Hangouts, and more information on the Center for the History of Business, Technology, and Society at the Hagley Museum and Library, visit us online at hagley.org.
To make a donation underwriting this program and others like it please visit our donations page.
Who has been a guest on Hagley History Hangout
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Monica Geraffo
Ana Maria Otero-Cleves
Simone M Müller
Joris Mercelis
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
3.7 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
60
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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