What is the secret of great German family businesses? Who is behind the brands? Who decides on direction and strategy at the Oetkers, the Brenninkmeyers (C&A) and the Joops? The company and family portraits in ZDF's contemporary history are also a mirror of Germany's past: from the hopeful beginning of the 20th century to the crisis years, world wars and dictatorship to new beginnings, from the boom of the so-called "economic miracle" to the present day of the internet and globalisation.