Smash Notes
Where Do the Dollar Bills Come From?

Planet Money

Where Do the Dollar Bills Come From?

Every dollar bill in the world comes from the same paper mill in Massachusetts. Today on the show, we get a front-row seat to the dollar-making process. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here .

Notes

  1. Who Makes the Paper for Every US Dollar Bill? at 0:43

    On Planet Money, David Kestenbaum and Jacob Goldstein visit the mill that makes the paper for every US dollar bill. Full answer

  2. What Is an American Dollar Bill Made From at 3:04

    American dollar bill is made out of 75% cotton and 25% linen. Full answer

  3. How Many Times Can You Fold a US Dollar Bill Before Breaking It at 3:29

    US dollar bills undergo a quality control measure by a fold test, when a machine folds and unfolds paper, until the paper breaks. Full answer

  4. How Did the Crane Family Monopolize Dollar Paper? at 4:33

    It's been a family business for generations, starting in 1979, when Mr. Full answer

  5. How Is the US Currency Protect From Forgery at 7:31

    While a lot of the design goes into creating subtle hard-to-copy differences, some counterfeit features are quite literally embedded into the paper. Full answer

  6. How Do You Spot a Transport of US Dollar Bills at 9:12

    If you ever meet a truck driver with a gun, telling you he's carrying halloween candy, chances are you have just run into the truck transporting US currency… Full answer

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