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The Mega-Brands That Built America

History Documentary Next s04e04 · 2026-08-24 Not rated yet

What it is

The Mega-Brands That Built America is the newest series in History's "That Built" franchise, telling the origin stories of some of the most successful businesses in history: from mega-stores like Costco and Walmart to sporting goods giants like Spalding and Wilson, titans like Ivory Soap, Schick and Gillette, to shipping giants like Fedex and UPS, and countless more of the biggest brand names in history. Each story is told through the "That Built" franchises' signature blend of expert interviews and archival, mixed with original premium recreations. Through the eyes of the visionaries and entrepreneurs behind the brands, the series takes viewers on a journey; starting with how it all began, following the innovations, the failures, and all the incredible achievements that forever changed the way Americans live. It's everything you didn't know about the colossal brands you know so well.

Episode highlights

Last episode

Ideas That Stick

s04e03 · 2026-08-17

Next episode

Racing to the Top

s04e04 · 2026-08-24

Episode guide

10 this season · 29 total
s03e01 The World in Your Palm 2025-06-02 01:00

The World in Your Palm

s03e01 · 2025-06-02 · 01:00

The biggest names in computers go head-to-head in a race to create the first portable computers. Through massive failures, shocking alliances, and the return of an American icon, they'll usher in their first ever handheld device, and then top it with the revolutionary creation of the smartphone.

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s03e02 The Retail Reckoning 2025-06-09 01:00

The Retail Reckoning

s03e02 · 2025-06-09 · 01:00

Three American retail icons are born within months of each other in 1962, sparking a rivalry for the ages.

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s03e03 Rise of the Internet Empires 2025-06-16 01:00

Rise of the Internet Empires

s03e03 · 2025-06-16 · 01:00

An ambitious upstart leaves Wall Street to start an internet store that becomes a global empire, while a young computer programmer revolutionizes the way we buy and sell online--creating rival multibillion-dollar brands that become household names.

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s03e04 Hardware Warfare 2025-06-23 01:00

Hardware Warfare

s03e04 · 2025-06-23 · 01:00

Family-owned hardware stores become behemoth brands who battle it out taking big risks, ushering in new innovations, and betting it all in a race to become the number one hardware store chain in America.

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s03e05 Rise of the Office Machines 2025-06-30 01:00

Rise of the Office Machines

s03e05 · 2025-06-30 · 01:00

To simplify tedious office tasks in the mid-20th century, one unknown company introduces the world's first photocopier and becomes a household name.

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s03e06 Photo Bombs 2025-07-07 01:00

Photo Bombs

s03e06 · 2025-07-07 · 01:00

An underdog breaks the mold by creating instant photography, revolutionizing how we take photos. And it kicks off a war of innovation between two iconic companies battling to be the number one camera brand in the country.

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s03e07 Fight for the Fast Lane 2025-07-14 02:03

Fight for the Fast Lane

s03e07 · 2025-07-14 · 02:03

American cars get a makeover when an engineer creates the first sports car.

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s03e08 Pants on Fire 2025-07-21 02:03

Pants on Fire

s03e08 · 2025-07-21 · 02:03

Levi Strauss partners with a tailor who makes a groundbreaking discovery during the Gold Rush—sparking a blue jean boom and a fierce rivalry between two iconic companies that spans generations and builds a billion-dollar industry.

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s03e09 Wipe Out the Competition 2025-07-28 02:03

Wipe Out the Competition

s03e09 · 2025-07-28 · 02:03

Before toilet paper, Americans used just about anything--until the Scott brothers turn a mistake into an opportunity and invent the toilet paper roll, giving birth to a new billion-dollar industry.

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s03e10 Reinventing the Wheel 2025-08-04 02:03

Reinventing the Wheel

s03e10 · 2025-08-04 · 02:03

Harvey Firestone races to innovation against a crosstown rival as they both bet big on bringing car tires to the nation.

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