A pioneering project, which aims to create a wealth of resources, conduct in-depth research, and tell captivating stories about the history of business in Gainesville, spanning from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. Our project utilizes meticulous archival research to chronicle the business landscape of Gainesville during this transformative period. In addition, we are conducting oral histories, capturing the firsthand accounts and personal narratives of individuals who witnessed and participated in the business growth of Gainesville.

The Inquire Capitalism database is a meticulously curated and easily searchable index of corporate archives. This valuable resource serves as a free catalog, intended to assist students, scholars, archivists, and other interested individuals in locating company archives across the United States. The database facilitates the establishment of connections among archives within the same industry and provides information on the presence of digital content and history websites within each company’s archive.

This research initiative seeks to unite scholars from diverse disciplines in a collaborative effort to delve into the global histories behind iconic commodities and practices of our modern world. We aim to contribute to the research on the global history of capitalism by examining the intertwined narratives of icons such café con leche and the broader economic, cultural and political systems that shaped their importance. These publications seek to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and generate fresh insights into the complex dynamics of global capitalism.