This episode explores the history and evolution of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Against the backdrop of 19th-century America, the podcast traces the agency's origins from its early work assisting in the abolitionist movement and thwarting an assassination plot against President-elect Lincoln, to its later involvement in breaking labor unions and its controversial role in events like the Homestead Strike. More significantly, the co-hosts discuss the agency's innovative practices, such as the creation of the first criminal database and the pioneering use of female detectives. For instance, the episode highlights the significant role of Kate Warren, one of the first female detectives in the United States. The discussion also delves into the agency's complex legacy, acknowledging both its contributions to law enforcement and its ethically questionable actions in suppressing labor movements. Ultimately, the episode reveals how the Pinkerton agency's reputation shifted from that of a celebrated crime-fighting force to a controversial symbol of corporate power and union-busting, a legacy that continues to shape its image today.
