Before La La Land, there was Fort Lee, New Jersey

This Planet Money Indicator podcast episode explores the history of American filmmaking, tracing its origins from Fort Lee, New Jersey, to Hollywood, California. The co-hosts discuss the factors contributing to Fort Lee's initial dominance, including its proximity to Broadway and Thomas Edison's early film innovations. However, Edison's monopolistic practices, the challenges of filming in the Northeast's harsh winters, and the availability of cheaper land and labor, along with a less unionized workforce in Los Angeles, led to the industry's eventual migration to California. The podcast uses historical accounts and economic principles to explain this shift, highlighting the concept of industrial agglomeration and the enduring impact of historical factors on economic hubs.