Corporation history October 4, 2011, 05:41 AM

A form of business organization in which the capital of the firm is supplied by shareholders.

Peter Cooper (1791–1883) businessman, inventor, and manufacturer October 4, 2011, 05:36 AM

Cooper was born in New York City to a family that had resided in the area since the mid-17th century.

Jay Cooke (1821–1905) financier October 4, 2011, 05:30 AM

Born in Sandusky, Ohio, Cooke’s father was a lawyer who also sat in Congress. After finishing school, Jay took a job in St. Louis, but his employer was ruined in the Panic of 1837. He moved to Philadelphia.

Consumer movement history October 4, 2011, 05:18 AM

A movement that began developing in the early 20th century, dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers against big business.

Conglomerates history October 4, 2011, 05:13 AM

Large, diversified holding companies that buy operating companies to form corporations with a wide array of interests.

Conestoga wagon history October 4, 2011, 05:08 AM

The Conestoga wagon, also called the “ship of inland commerce” and the “Dutch wagon,” was a heavy horse-drawn vehicle that, prior to the extension of the RAILROADS across the Allegheny Mountains in the 1850s, became the primary method of transporting freight to the interior regions of the United States.

Computer industry history October 4, 2011, 04:55 AM

While the U.S. computer industry began as a direct result of large-scale Department of Defense spending on electronic digital computing research during and shortly after World War II...

Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) history October 4, 2011, 04:37 AM

A law passed by Congress in 1977 in response to perceived failings of banks in meeting the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, especially low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) history October 4, 2011, 04:34 AM

The regulatory body overseeing the FUTURES MARKETS.

Commercial paper history October 4, 2011, 04:31 AM

A short-term debt instrument, maturing between 30 days and 270 days from original issue date.

Commercial banking history October 4, 2011, 04:25 AM

The term given to banking institutions that provide a full array of customer services to both retail and business customers.

Commerce clause history October 4, 2011, 04:14 AM

The section of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3) that gives Congress the authority “to regulate Commerce with foreign nations, among the several States, and with the Indian tribes.”

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) history October 4, 2011, 04:09 AM

One of the three major broadcasting networks, founded in 1927 and developed and expanded by William S. Paley (1901–90) from 1929.

Colt Firearms history October 4, 2011, 04:06 AM

An arms manufacturer founded by Samuel Colt (1814–62) in Paterson, New Jersey. The company was founded to produce Colt’s idea for a revolving-cylinder handgun, which he patented in 1836.

William Colgate (1783–1857) manufacturer October 4, 2011, 04:01 AM

William Colgate was born in Kent, England, on January 25, 1783, the son of a farmer.

Coffee industry history October 3, 2011, 07:32 AM

Coffee has been not only one of the most valuable imports into the United States for a century and a half, but it has also become one of the most valuable industries in the United States.

Coca-Cola Co. history October 3, 2011, 06:54 AM

A beverage company founded by John S. Pemberton in 1886, Coca-Cola became the most recognizable brand in the world.

Clayton Act history October 3, 2011, 06:50 AM

One of the three major ANTITRUST laws in the United States, the law was passed following congressional hearings in 1912 that revealed much about the nature of American business and finance.

Clark Dodge & Co. history October 3, 2011, 06:46 AM

A merchant and INVESTMENT BANKING firm founded by Enoch Clark (1802–56) after the Panic of 1837.

Citibank history October 3, 2011, 06:38 AM

Since the early 20th century, one of the three largest U.S. banks. It was established in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, a state-chartered bank.

Cisco Corporation history October 3, 2011, 06:32 AM

A manufacturer of INTERNET routing equipment founded in 1977 by two Stanford computer specialists who invented the Internet router because they could not communicate with each other over the Internet using the current technology.

Chrysler Corp. history October 3, 2011, 06:28 AM

Traditionally the third-largest American manufacturer of automobiles, behind GENERAL MOTORS and Ford.

Walter Percy Chrysler (1875–1940) industrialist October 3, 2011, 06:23 AM

Born in Wamego, Kansas, Chrysler began his career as a machinist’s apprentice after finishing high school.

Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) history October 3, 2011, 06:20 AM

A commodities and futures exchange established in Chicago in 1848. Originally designed as a commodities marketing exchange, the board quickly became devoted to trading in futures contracts.