Which index tracks 30 major U.S. companies and fell sharply during the 1929 crash?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average tracks 30 major U.S. companies and fell sharply during the 1929 crash. Created by Charles Dow and Edward Jones, the index was first published in 1896 with 12 companies and later expanded to 30 in 1928.

The Dow became one of the most visible measures of the Wall Street collapse. Its famous 1929 decline occurred across Black Thursday, Black Monday, and Black Tuesday, although the broader bear market lasted much longer. Because it is price-weighted, companies with higher share prices have more influence on its movements than companies with lower share prices.

The Dow is often mistakenly treated as a complete measure of the U.S. stock market. It represents only 30 companies, whereas broader indexes such as the S&P 500 cover many more large U.S. firms. Even so, its long history and prominent media coverage make it a standard reference point in crash reporting.