Concha Betrán is a Professor in the Economic Analysis Department at the University of Valencia, Spain. Her research interests are in economic history and different aspects related to industrialization (productivity and industrial location), globalization (inequality, trade) and financial crises. Maria A Pons is Associate Professor in the Economic Analysis Department at the University of Valencia, Spain. Her area of specialization is economic history, with special emphasis on monetary and banking history, financial crises and globalisation.