Life is full of facts we don't know or have simply forgotten. In a comment, a writer recently encouraged the curious to search "hyperinflation during the Weimar Republic."

Some of the details I discovered were surprising. Germany had come out of the first World War with most of its industrial power intact, still, inflation suddenly destroyed the currency. This dovetails with some of my thoughts on currency trading today. It confirmed that inflation can stem from a growing lack of faith in a currency, or all currencies, rather than just a lack of available goods. As inflation takes root the goods available for sale often contracts as sellers retreat from the market awaiting higher prices which creates a self-feeding loop.

Hyperinflation Can Hit At Shocking Speed

It was amazing how quickly inflation took root in Germany during the 1920s. Consider how fast it could happen now that we live in an age of instant communication which allows ideas and expectations to rapidly spread. In today's world, many people have developed a false belief in financial stability because of claims by central bankers they have "controlled" inflation to where the economy will grow at a managed pace.