Podcast
Behind the Bastards
The podcast discussed the cigarette industry and how James Buchanan Duke used the Bonsack machine to revolutionize cigarette production, as detailed in Alan Brandt's book, 'The Cigarette Century'.
By 1884, while his competitors were still hesitating, Duke had installed two Bonsack machines in his Durham factory.
— Episode: Part One: How Cigarettes Invented Everyt...
Episode: Part One: How Cigarettes Invented Everything
The podcast discussed the cigarette industry and how James Buchanan Duke used the Bonsack machine to revolutionize cigarette production, as detailed in Alan Brandt's book, 'The Cigarette Century'.
By 1884, while his competitors were still hesitating, Duke had installed two Bonsack machines in his Durham factory.
Duke signed a secret contract in which he agreed that he would produce all his cigarettes with the Bonsack machine.
Duke and Bonsack soon reached a further agreement, guaranteeing Duke a 25 percent discount on royalties against all other manufacturers.
The settlement was meant to assure competition among the five newly constituted companies.
But given the size and complexity of the business, there existed insuperable obstacles to the creation of perfect competitive conditions.