The Mega-Brands That Built America — Season 3
About this season
The innovations, failures and incredible achievements of some of the most successful businesses in history, from megastores like Costco and Walmart to shipping giants like FedEx and UPS, that forever changed the way Americans live.
Episodes (10)
1. The World in Your Palm
Aired 1 June 2025 • 43 min
The biggest names in computers go head-to-head in a race to create the first portable computers; through failures, alliances and the return of an American icon, they'll usher in their first ever handheld device.
2. The Retail Reckoning
Aired 8 June 2025 • 43 min
Three American retail icons are born within months of each other in 1962, sparking a rivalry for the ages.
3. Rise of the Internet Empires
Aired 15 June 2025 • 43 min
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.
4. Hardware Warfare
Aired 22 June 2025 • 43 min
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.
5. Rise of the Office Machines
Aired 29 June 2025 • 43 min
To simplify tedious office tasks in the mid-20th century, one unknown company introduces the world's first photocopier and becomes a household name.
6. Photo Bombs
Aired 6 July 2025 • 43 min
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.
7. Fight for the Fast Lane
Aired 13 July 2025 • 43 min
8. Pants on Fire
Aired 20 July 2025 • 43 min
9. Wipe Out the Competition
Aired 27 July 2025 • 43 min
10. Reinventing the Wheel
Aired 3 August 2025 • 43 min
Harvey Firestone races to innovation against a crosstown rival as they both bet big on bringing car tires to the nation.