Historic milestones in corporate finance

This bachelor thesis focuses on key historical milestones in corporate finance that have shaped current financial structures and strategies. The study begins in the 14th century with the first precursors of joint stock companies and continues through important events such as the South Sea Bubble in 1720, the creation of the New York Stock Exchange in 1792, the Industrial Revolution, the railroad mania of the 1840s, and the introduction of the gold standard. He also discusses the growth of investment banking, Harry Markowitz's portfolio theory, the CAPM model, economic value added (EVA), behavioral finance, and the Dodd-Frank Act. The paper analyzes how these events have affected capital raising, risk management, and investment strategies, and provides insight into their long-term impact on modern corporate finance. The results show that understanding historical milestones is crucial for effective financial management and anticipating future challenges in corporate finance).