Missouri Humanities | S3 E5: What do Walt Disney, J.C. Penney, The Pony Express, and Sliced Bread Have in Common?

What do Walt Disney, J.C. Penney, the Pony Express, and Sliced Bread have in common? They all have incredible stories of innovation originating along Missouri’s Highway 36! Also known as The Way of American Genius, Highway 36 from St. Joseph to Hannibal connects individuals and inventions from rural communities in America's Heartland.  

In this special episode, we’re sharing a previously recorded program from earlier this year. In June 2024, Missouri Humanities hosted a Think-N-Drink event in St. Joseph, Missouri, which is a series that engages Missourians in thoughtful dialogue on the humanities in a laid back setting. Join us as we explore the history of Missouri Highway 36 and how it has sparked some of this country’s great innovations and innovators, and dive into community stories about how this period of ingenuity continues to shape our small towns today!

What is Missouri Humanities ?

Welcome to Season 5: The Story of US! Throughout 250 years of United States history, the people and places of Missouri have played a vital role in shaping the nation’s story. At the crossroads of rivers, frontiers, and ideas, Missouri has been a stage for exploration, innovation, conflict, and change. From Indigenous peoples to French settlers and westward pioneers, Missouri’s story began before statehood and remains ingrained in the nation’s history. As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, The Story of US invites Missourians to reflect on how Missouri’s people and communities have shaped defining chapters of our shared American journey. In this year-long series, we honor the enduring power of place and the voices, both celebrated and too often unheard, that reveal Missouri’s contributions to the complexity and promise of the American experience.

PAST SEASONS:
Season 1, "Eat, THINK, & Be Merry: Missouri's Foodways and Edible History"
Season 2, "Roots & Routes: The Movement and Settlement of Missourians"
Season 3, "Missouri Marvels: Humanities, Discovery, and Innovation"
Season 4, "Missouri Voices: Civics and Citizenry"

For more from Missouri Humanities, visit mohumanities.org