The Economics of Everyday Things

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...

Where is “the cloud,” anyway? It’s in a bunch of nondescript warehouses all over the country. Zachary Crockett serves up the story.   SOURCES: Chris Kimm, senior vice president of global customer care...

A new thrill ride can cost an amusement park $20 million or more — but roller coasters attract customers like nothing else. Zachary Crockett must be at least this tall to host this episode.   SOURCES:...

It takes a highly skilled stenographer — and some specialized equipment — to transcribe TV dialogue in real time at 300 words per minute. Will A.I. rewrite the script? Zachary Crockett tries to keep u...

The ability to get into any home, car, or safe can be lucrative — but fixing locks is a tough business. Zachary Crockett gets the key information.   SOURCES:Wayne Winton, owner of Tri-County Locksmith...