Wall Street and Its Mystery Men

For two centuries, Wall Street has symbolized American capitalism; since the early 20th century, it has been a financial symbol for the entire world. Wall Street’s development has been a story of technological change, business ingenuity and economic growth. Wall Street’s most important functions are investment banking and security trading; for much of its history, trading and speculation have been a free and vigorous game of every man for himself. Since the 1930s, however, governments have paid an increasingly important role in shaping Wall Street, and the later 20th century has seen increasing global pressures as well.