Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy

Journalist and economist Harford (The Undercover Economist) strikes again with easy-to-understand economics in this exploration of inventions that impacted our modern system. While his list does include some of the usual suspects, e.g., robots, paper money, and batteries, Harford also examines the contributions of innovations including seller feedback, tax havens, and the Billy bookcase (a flat-pack bookcase sold by IKEA). The inventions are organized thematically, and the author discusses the role and impact of each with his signature humor and simplicity. The book is anything but dry, and Harford connects the social, technological, and economic aspects of these concepts that have changed modern life and, in effect, have shaped the economy. Harford concludes with a look at the lightbulb, as an innovation in itself, but also as a platform for future creativity.