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Eric BThis is a simple summary. Others can expand.
The Golden Age of tobacco cards started around 1886, became popular in the next 2-3 years, then Buck Duke through acquisition and thuggery, managed to get all the main manufacturers (Duke, Allen & Ginter, Kinney, Kimball, Goodwin) to merge (ATC - American Tobacco Co) in early 1890. Monopoly, no competition, no need to produce the "extras".
The Silver Age started slowly around 1900 - 1902 when the international takeover didn't work so well and the British firms (Ogdens, Wills) all merged to prevent their takeover. Some cards produced. Cards revived in 1907 and others joined in. Antitrust legislation also in 1907 went slowly through the courts. Competition squeezed through causing cards to really gain momentum in 1909, peaked in 1910 and 1911. Focus in 1912 was the new company formations and lack of advertising budgets. Adding to the squeeze was the introduction of Camels in 1913 and a huge ad budget that didn't include cards. Then WW1 crushed all insert manufacturing.