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.
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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s03e02The Retail Reckoning2025-06-0901:00⌄
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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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s03e03Rise of the Internet Empires2025-06-1601:00⌄
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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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s03e04Hardware Warfare2025-06-2301:00⌄
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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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s03e05Rise of the Office Machines2025-06-3001:00⌄
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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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s03e06Photo Bombs2025-07-0701:00⌄
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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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s03e07Fight for the Fast Lane2025-07-1402:03⌄
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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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s03e08Pants on Fire2025-07-2102:03⌄
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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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s03e09Wipe Out the Competition2025-07-2802:03⌄
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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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s03e10Reinventing the Wheel2025-08-0402:03⌄
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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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