The 1911 Triangle Fire and Workplace Safety Economics

Lucas and Luna explore the economic impact of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which killed 146 garment workers in New York City. They examine how the tragedy reshaped labor markets, ignited the modern workers' compensation system, and drove regulatory changes that economists still study as a case of 'safety regulation as productivity'—where stricter rules actually boosted long-term efficiency. Drawing on historical wage data and insurance records, the hosts reveal how the fire cost employers roughly $200 million in today's dollars from lost labor and liability, yet sparked innovations in workplace safety that saved billions over the following century. The episode ties these lessons to contemporary debates about gig economy protections and occupational health standards, arguing that the fire's economic aftermath offers a powerful blueprint for evaluating regulation today. #TriangleShirtwaistFire #WorkplaceSafety #LaborEconomics #Regulation #WorkersCompensation #EconomicHistory #1911 #NewYorkCity #GarmentIndustry #IndustrialAccidents #SafetyRegulation #Productivity #Insurance #LaborMarkets #FexingoEconomics #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #EconomicsPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo