The Economics of Everyday Things

We send 10 billion of them every day. Where do they come from? Zachary Crockett hearts this topic.   SOURCES:Jennifer 8. Lee, co-founder of Emojination.  RESOURCES:"Apple Removes The Gun Emoji, Replac...

When security cameras and facial recognition tools fail, law enforcement investigators fall back on a witness's memory and an artist's hand. Zachary Crockett's nose was a little bigger than that.   SO...

How does an industry built on roadside pop-ups make billions of dollars in two weeks of the year? Zachary Crockett gets pyrotechnical.   SOURCES:Alex Zoldan, vice president of Phantom Fireworks.  RESO...

Why are these sudsy roadside stops one of the fastest growing industries in America? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the hood.   RESOURCES:"Private Equity Wants to Wash Your Car," by Miriam Gottfr...

Americans take more than 20 billion elevator rides every year — and keeping them safe is an expensive proposition. Zachary Crockett makes small talk.   SOURCES:Frank Christensen, president of the Inte...

Districts across the country are facing shortages of school bus drivers. Can technology help? Zachary Crockett takes a seat in the back.   SOURCES:Keith Corso, co-founder and CEO of BusRight.Marc Medi...

Everyone loves to complain about it — but preparing a meal that tastes good at 35,000 feet is harder than you might think. Zachary Crockett will have the fish.   SOURCES:Molly Brandt, innovation chef ...

Every year, America celebrates its independence with millions of dollars worth of explosives imported from China. Zachary Crockett lights a fuse and backs away quickly.   SOURCES:JJ Brau, fireworks co...

These glistening round gemstones have come a long way since your grandmother's time, but procuring them is still a lot of work. The world is Zachary Crockett’s oyster.   SOURCES:Jeremy Shepherd, C.E.O...

Youth baseball — long a widely accessible American pastime — has become overrun by $10,000-per-year, for-profit travel leagues. Zachary Crockett peers inside the dugout.   SOURCES:Linda Flanagan, auth...