In this a delightfully original essay Jennifer Kaufmann-Buhler traces the emergence of that quintessential modern organisational function - facilities management - from the pioneering initiatives of the Herman Miller furniture company.

And finally, another of this year's Krooss Prize summaries, with Cody Patton's "Nature’s Brew: An Environmental History of Modern American Brewing."

Next up, from Pablo Díaz-Morlán, Miguel Angel Sáez-García & Riccardo Semeraro, we have "From Machinery Manufacturers to Plantmakers: Tracing European Leadership in Steel Production Technologies, 1945–2000." Again, published Open Access.

Hot off the press, three brand new articles. First up, from Dag Bennett, Michael Rowlinson, and Philip Stern, "The Importance of Light Buyers in Marketing History: Evidence From the Sales Ledgers of a Luxury Tailor, 1890–1899" opens up important new avenues of research in marketing history.

Also fresh out, "Creative Types: Inventive Women in Colonial and Federation-Era Australia," by Grant Fleming, Zhangxin (Frank) Liu, David Merrett, and Simon Ville. Once more we are pleased to be able to present this work Open Access.

It gives us very great pleasure to be able to publish Stephen Mihm's beautiful 2025 Business History Conference Presidential Address, "The Business of Labor." Stephen's wise words are available here, Open Access. @businesshistoryc.bsky.social

Make a date in your diaries.

Next up is "Emancipation and the Business of Compensation in the Cape Colony" by Kate Ekama. Again, we are delighted to publish this Open Access, making cutting edge research available to the general public:

First up is Michael Bennett and Mike Anson's superb and important "The Compensation Agency Business: London Merchants, Bankers, and the Payment of Slavery Compensation, 1835-46." Published Open Access and available to all:

Given the Guardian's commitment to highlighting new research in the legacies of British involvement in the slave trade, it seems a good moment to highlight two recent contributions we were delighted to publish in @entandsoc.bsky.social, both focused on the business of compensation ...

In 2024, Manuel Bautista González's dissertation was shortlisted for the Krooss Prize. Unfortunately, personal circumstances prevented Manuel from finalizing his summary for publication. It therefore gives us great pleasure to be able to publish it now - it is a fantastic, compelling piece.