The Fast History Of

It is the world's number one cookie brand... by far. But the cookie that built this empire was... already being sold by Nabisco's competitors. Competitors who were once co-founders of Nabisco! Still, shrewd marketing (and recipe tweaks) made the Oreo the world's favorite cookie. Following it up with Chips Ahoy and SnackWell's, Nabisco's story is packed with boardroom intrigue, personal vengeance, and a few colossal failures. Twist it, lick it, and dunk it--it's a fast history of Nabisco.

It's one of the most recognizable brands on the planet! Yet Heinz's meteoric rise is full of surprises. Like their famous "57" varieties have nothing to do with the number of ingredients. The founder was once in debt and arrested because he couldn't pay his bills. He also once sunk a ship of his competitor's bottles in the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh! Heinz went gangbusters after WWII with aggressive ad campaigns that crushed their rivals... only to be outsold by salsa in the 1990s. How did they survive it all? Find out as we pour it on thick in the fast history of Heinz!

When Bill Rosenberg founded Dunkin Donuts in 1950, he set out to serve the freshest and most delicious donuts and coffee the world had ever seen. In the process he revolutionized the game, bringing 52 flavors to a treat that had only ever had four. From their battle with Krispy Kreme and Starbucks to how they really invented munchkins--get ready.....it's time to make the Donuts!

What costs around a nickel per stick and can help give you a million-dollar smile? Founded in 1891, Wrigley's is the world's most popular gum. They even have their name on the 2nd oldest major league baseball stadium! And with gum sales of over $1.3 billion dollars a year, they rake in more than double their nearest competitor! But their journey to the top is full of even more surprises. Like do you know how Wrigley's gum helped win World War 2? Or how did they manage to give free samples of their gum to everyone in the phone book?! And you'll never believe the risqu origin story behind their most popular bubble gum... Hubba Bubba! Grab a stick and get ready...for the chewable history of Wrigley's.

Since its founding in 1965, the brainchild of a nuclear physicist and a would-be-med student, Subway, has grown from a small storefront in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to the biggest chain restaurant on the planet. With nearly twice as many U.S. locations as any other fast-food chain, they sell over 8 million sandwiches a day! On Subway's rise to world domination, it will change how we eat, battle tenacious rivals, and face a career-ending controversy. Pick your favorite bread and toppings and get ready for the fast history of Subway.

Over the last half century, fast food has become a nearly $300 billion dollar staple for Americans on the go. And it was a series of entrepreneurs who created some of the biggest innovations not just in fast food, but in the entire history of food. Hope you're hungry! From the invention of the hamburger patty by the eventual founder of White Castle, to the McDonald's Speedee system that has been replicated by countless fast-food chains, to the 30 minutes or less guarantee that started a delivery revolution... these are the groundbreaking ideas that make up fast food's greatest innovations.

Tracing its roots back to the 18th century Sicilian mafia, the American mob muscled its way to a $90 billion dollar a year criminal enterprise and is the subject of some of the most popular books, movies and tv shows in history. But the real story behind the mob’s rise (and eventual fall) is even stranger than fiction. They helped create one of New York’s most iconic gay bars. Much of the mob’s success wouldn’t be possible without the Hoover Dam? The mob even once collaborated with the C.I.A.! From Capone to Corleone, this is the fast history of the American mob.

Jack Daniel’s, the most popular whiskey in the world, has been making their unique blend since 1866. But the story of how a couple of backwoods bootleggers invented Tennessee whiskey is full of unexpected turns. Like the secrets behind their unique recipe, how they barely survived prohibition, the endorsement that created a national shortage and how Hollywood ran away with the brand’s image. Get ready for the smooth, fast history of…Jack Daniel’s.

When Eberhard Anheuser hired his son in law, Adolphus Busch, he had no idea they were going to create the most recognizable beer of all time. Budweiser. This is the story how they brewed a $30 billion empire. But would you believe that they're part of the reason beer goes hand in hand with baseball? Or that it in the 2000s they tried to make liquor? Or that their most famous mascot of all time landed them in the doghouse with the U.S. government? We better hop to it. This is the fast history of Budweiser.

Since its founding in 1962, Walmart has grown from a humble discount store in rural Arkansas to the largest company in the world. With over 11,000 locations, they employ more people than the US Armed Forces. Walmart averages a profit of $1.8 million dollars…every hour. But did you know that Walmart’s first attempt to expand was almost ended by exploding watermelons and donkey poop? Or, that Walmart once attempted to buy out a struggling startup…called Amazon? And you’ll never believe why their founder was forced to do the Hula on Wall Street. Grab your shopping carts and get ready for the superstore-sized history of Walmart.

Did you know the phrase “Just Do It” was inspired by a serial killer’s last words? Or that they created their waffle soles…with a waffle iron? From their early days selling Japanese sneakers from the trunk of a car this is the incredible full story of Nike. Lace up for a wild ride; their highs and lows, how air tech came to be, a look behind the brand’s most iconic campaigns and how taking a crazy chance on a rookie turned Nike into the 33 Billion dollar empire they are today.

Ever wonder just how much gold King Tut was buried with…to enjoy in the afterlife? Or how Elon Musk, Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos ended up in a Space Race that used to exist between the US, Russia and China? This is the thrilling, 30-minute romp through history about the secret lives of the world’s wealthiest and all the most shocking ways they spend their fortunes!

After leaving a successful stint at Kentucky Fried Chicken (where he literally invented the bucket of chicken,) Dave Thomas opens a hamburger chain. His innovations, including a simplified menu, the perfect drive-thru system, and brilliant reasoning behind the square hamburger, turn Wendy’s into a success. Their “Where’s The Beef” campaign is a historic sensation, but the company falters when they’re victim of a hoax–involving a severed finger. How did they right the ship and become the #2 hamburger chain in the world?

Since the dawn of time, people have looked into the skies and seen… strange objects that don’t belong there. By the late 1940s, UFO sightings and reports of downed flying saucers are so rampant, the U.S. government forms a top secret group to investigate. The sightings continue, and the investigations lead to… conclusions you won’t believe. Then, reports of an alleged alien abduction stokes nationwide fear. Does the government know the truth behind these incidents? And what’s in storage inside Area 51? Find out as we unpack the truths and conspiracies in a Fast History of UFOs.

Amusement parks are a global phenomenon! Yet their meteoric rise is full of surprises. Like the fact that the first amusement park has its roots all the way back in 1133. And the fact that Catherine the Great is considered the forerunner of modern roller coasters with her “Russian Mountain” wooden slides in the 1800s! The Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 inspires the birth of Coney Island, while a visit to a traditional merry-go-round inspires Walt Disney to make Disneyland. Once tubular steel is used instead of wood in the 1950s, roller coaster designers take rides to new extremes in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. After a decline in the early 2000s, the future of amusement parks is looking up, as visitors can now experience worlds like “The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter” where they can become characters in a larger story.