Analyzing a contemporary area of popular culture

Explore a contemporary area of popular culture by discussing how it came into existence.
For instance, if you were discussing comic books, you could discuss how newspapers in the late 1800s began printing comic strips, which became popular enough that comic books emerged from this practice.
How does looking through the history lens enhance your understanding of popular culture?
How does analyzing the relationship between history, culture, and popular culture have an influence on your discipline of study or chosen profession?