Planet Money Summer School is back for eight weeks. Join as we travel back in time to find the origins of our economic way of life. Today we ask surprisingly hard question: What is money? And where did it come from? We travel to a remote island in the Pacific Ocean for the answer. Then we'll visit France in the year 1714, where a man on the lam tries to revolutionize the country's entire monetary system, and comes impressively close to the modern economy we have today, before it all falls apart. Check out our Summer School video cheat sheet on the origins of money at the Planet Money TikTok. The series is hosted by Robert Smith and produced by Audrey Dilling. Our project manager is Devin Mellor. This episode was edited by Planet Money Executive Producer Alex Goldmark and fact-checked by Sofia Shchukina. Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
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It is finally summer, a time to relax, touch some grass, and think about nothing but the sun on your face, the breeze in your hair and the entire economic history of the world.
Welcome back, everyone, to Planet Money summer school.
Whenever the temperature rises and nature beckons, we show up with a new batch of stimulating lessons to make sure your brain has something to do.
On the long drive to the beach.
Every Wednesday till Labor Day, we will tackle the biggest questions in economics.
In summers past, weve covered econ 101, investing skills and business strategy.
This summer, well look back, way back at how we got to the bewildering economy we have today.