What is Madison Avenue?

Named for the New York City avenue that was once home to the world’s most powerful ad agencies, Madison Avenue is a catch-all term for the advertising industry. In other words, Madison Avenue is to advertising what Wall Street is to finance.

The phrase “Madison Avenue” was first used in reference to the advertising industry around 1923. By the late 1930s, roughly 37% of the American Association of Advertising Agencies' New York members had offices on the street, largely due to its proximity to their large corporate clients’ headquarters.

From three-martini lunches to office romances, the corporate culture on Madison Avenue was notorious for its debauchery—so much so that it inspired the popular TV drama “Mad Men.”

While many of the top advertising agencies (such as Ogilvy & Mather in 1989 and Young & Rubicam in 2013) have since moved their headquarters away from Madison Avenue for various reasons, the term is still used as a synonym for the ad industry today.

Also, check out ... 

> Roughly 350,000 billboards advertise across the US. (More)

> The best ads of all time. (More)

> Madison Avenue's Mary Wells Lawrence was the first female CEO of a public company listed on the NYSE. (More)

> The Madison Avenue Walk of Fame. (More)

Explore everything else we've found on Madison Avenue. 

In partnership with DiviGas

This Energy Startup’s Valuation Could Skyrocket

Every year, ~20M tonnes of hydrogen ends up in low-value uses during the oil and gas refining process. That's potentially worth billions in opportunity cost, especially considering global hydrogen demand is projected to triple by 2050.

One company has an ingenious way to capture it and just closed a major deal with one of the world’s biggest refineries. DiviGas has developed a patented filter that recovers up to 99% of this hydrogen. Unlike costly alternatives, the DiviGas system fits directly into the 700+ oil and gas plants already in operation worldwide. That means it can be easily adopted everywhere.

You can join this opportunity by investing in DiviGas before they announce who this deal is with and get 15% bonus stock when you invest before tomorrow midnight ET.*

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Economic bubbles, explained

Economic bubbles form when the market price of a group of assets persistently exceeds their real value, often in a specific sector such as housing or tech stocks.

These bubbles often begin during moments of excitement—about new technologies, fast-growing industries, or unusually cheap borrowing. As prices rise, more people purchase the assets, fearing they’ll miss out on future gains.

Bubbles burst when confidence is shaken, typically due to disappointing news, rising defaults, or a sudden realization that prices are no longer justified. When that shift happens, investors rush to sell their assets—prices can fall just as quickly as they climbed. The fallout can strain banks, wipe out household wealth, and sometimes even trigger broader economic downturns.

Bubbles tend to follow similar patterns. Whether it’s tulips in the 1630s Netherlands, regarded as the first financial bubble, or early internet companies in the 1990s, they all generally move through similar phases: early enthusiasm, rapid price increases, broad public participation, and an abrupt collapse.

Also, check out ... 

> The Beanie Baby craze was among history's wildest collectible bubbles. (More)

> Herd behavior can lead to economic bubbles. (More)

> Inside China's property bubble, a ghost town of abandoned mansions. (More)

> Inside the predictable pattern of economic bubbles. (More)

Explore everything else we've found on Economic Bubbles. 

Happy hour 101

The term “happy hour” refers to a period of time, usually after lunch but before dinner, when bars and restaurants offer discounts on alcoholic beverages and sometimes food.

Happy hours are a common marketing tactic for eateries looking to attract customers outside regular dining hours by offering lower prices. They’ve also become something of a tradition for the 9-to-5 set looking to relax after work—and save a few bucks doing it.

In 1914, sailors aboard a US Navy ship used the term “happy hour” to refer to the time before dinner when leisure activities took place. While the sailors enjoyed dancing and even boxing tournaments before dinner on long voyages, these early happy hours likely didn’t involve alcohol. 

Drinks came into the mix during Prohibition. In 1919, the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution made selling, transporting, and manufacturing alcohol illegal—but people didn’t stop drinking. “Happy hour” soon became the go-to term for illegally having a drink after work before heading to dinner. 

Also, check out ... 

> A deeper dive on the origin story of the term "happy hour." (More)

> Why we drink and what it does to us. (More)

> What can animals on wine bottle illustrations tell us about the wine itself? (More)

> The illegal happy hour map. (More)

Explore everything else we've found on Happy Hour. 

One Story We're Taking Stock In

As the United States continues to struggle with persistent inflation, some Americans might envy the deflation (a continuous decrease in the price of goods and services) that China is currently experiencing. But the below article, one of my favorites of the week, explains how deflation can negatively impact a nation's economy—and, therefore, its consumers—too. 

> Rising prices are bad, but plummeting prices are worse. (Read)

> The world's most famous case of deflation. (1440 Topics)

In partnership with DiviGas

15% Bonus Stock Ends Tomorrow

DiviGas is solving a big problem. ~20M tonnes of hydrogen end up in low-value uses each year, costing operators potentially billion. No surprise DiviGas has nearly $10M in pre-orders already.

They are going to announce major deals soon and valuation is set to explode. Become a DiviGas shareholder by tomorrow and lock in 15% in bonus stock.*

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Best of the Week

We curate hundreds of resources into 1440 Topics each week. Here are some of our favorites from the world of business and finance.

> Frugal habits that experts say aren't worth the effort.

> All of the world's gold, visualized. 

> The fastest-shrinking jobs in the US. 

> Comparing middle-class incomes: 1980 vs. 2025.

> The economic impact of bachelorette parties on Nashville.

> What rising youth unemployment means for the economy. 

> How experts recommend using your year-end bonus.

> Who buys luggage at the airport luggage store?

> What is the average 401(k) balance?

> How teachers' earnings have declined in recent years.

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