From the morphine-addicted veteran who invented it to the corporate giants who turned it into a global empire, discover the fizzy, controversial history of the world's most famous drink. This week, we explore the story of Coca-Cola—from the "secret formula" and the legend of the contour bottle to the patriotic masterstroke of World War II and the spectacular, high-stakes disaster of "New Coke."

From the high-stakes gambling of its founder to the "ladder of success" that defined the American dream, discover the rise and fall of the corporate titan that built the 20th century. This week, we trace the history of General Motors—from the glamour of Harley Earl’s tailfins to the gritty lines of the Flint Sit-Down Strike and the high-stakes gamble on an electric future.

From the head of Wall Street to the "Queen's Farm," discover how a 1705 royal land grant turned a colonial parish into one of New York's most powerful real estate empires. This week, we explore the endurance of Trinity Church, a Gothic sanctuary that survived the Great Fire of 1776, served as a beacon for George Washington, and stood firm through the tragedy of 9/11.

From the scandalous "23 skidoo" corner to a bitter modern-day legal feud, discover how an awkward triangular lot became New York’s most iconic wedge. This week, we explore the strange, defiant history of the Flatiron Building and the visionary architect who dared to "make no little plans."

From the "White City" and Al Capone’s bootlegging empire to the electric birth of the Blues and the race for the world’s tallest skyscraper—this is the definitive story of Chicago’s 20th-century transformation. We explore the tragedies, the secret scientific breakthroughs, and the political machines that built the modern "Windy City."

From a swampy outpost to a city of ash, Chicago’s birth was anything but quiet. We explore the engineering miracles, frontier corruption, and the Great Fire that forced the "City of Wood" to reach for the sky.

This episode explores the 100-year history of L.L. Bean, from a basement startup with a 90% product failure rate to a global outdoor powerhouse. It traces the evolution of the iconic Maine Hunting Shoe and the iron-clad promise of quality that defined an American legacy.

This episode of Archive Hoppers explores the rise and fall of Neiman Marcus, the store that famously turned down the rights to Coca-Cola to define American luxury. Discover how a family-run "temple of fashion" went from hosting Coco Chanel at Texas barbecues to navigating a $5 billion mountain of corporate debt.