2024 the best inventions of all time review

Price: $0.99
(as of Nov 24, 2024 16:34:09 UTC - Details)

A lively history seen through the 50 inventions that shaped it most profoundly, by the best-selling author of The Undercover Economist and Messy.

Who thought up paper money? What was the secret element that made the Gutenberg printing press possible? And what is the connection between The Da Vinci Code and the collapse of Lehman Brothers?

Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy paints an epic picture of change in an intimate way by telling the stories of the tools, people, and ideas that had far-reaching consequences for all of us. From the plough to artificial intelligence, from Gillette's disposable razor to IKEA's Billy bookcase, best-selling author and Financial Times columnist Tim Harford recounts each invention's own curious, surprising, and memorable story.

Invention by invention, Harford reflects on how we got here and where we might go next. He lays bare often unexpected connections: how the bar code undermined family corner stores and why the gramophone widened inequality. In the process, he introduces characters who developed some of these inventions, profited from them, and were ruined by them, as he traces the principles that helped explain their transformative effects. The result is a wise and witty book of history, economics, and biography.

Reviewer: Bama Fan
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book! One of my favorites of all time!
Review: This book is very well written, is engaging and was surprising. When you think of the 50 greatest inventions, the natural tendency is the fall back on the standard things we learned about growing up. However, Harford takes a different approach. Yes, there are some old favorites, but there are just as many that I was not expecting. The way Harford describes each one is in a way that keep your interest and makes you want to read the stories that help explain his rationale. The book is very accessible for anyone that is curious. I enjoy reading books that focus on technological history and even after reading books like Napoleon's Buttons, The History of the World in 6 Glass, Stuff Matters, The Innovators, The Idea Factory, and Stephen Johnson and Sam Kean books, Harford still finds a way to tell stories by introducing different concepts and research which helps to make it tough to put down and easy to enjoy. I learned so much from this book and it is definitely one that I will re-read in the future. I would recommend this for anyone as you won't be disappointed!

Reviewer: Louiss199
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Interesting read. Some inventions you would never think as ...
Review: Interesting read. Some inventions you would never think as important as Tim Harford writes about. The fifty chapters are short enough for a quick read then put it down and come back and start a new invention (chapter.)

Reviewer: Wes Wasson
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Another Brilliant Read
Review: Tim is a brilliant economist, observer, and storyteller. His early book "Messy" ranks as one of my all-time favorites, so I purchased his newest publication the day it was released and thoroughly enjoyed it. "50 Inventions" is engaging, fun, and insightful. It starts with a broad aperture that examines everything from products and processes to legal constructs that played outsized roles in enabling the modern economy. Along the way, Tim draws out unexpected insights that will change the way you think about the world around you (like the pivotal role the elevator brake played in enabling the modern city). Well worth the read.

Reviewer: RN
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: An absolute delight!
Review: This review may be biased by the fact that I am an avid reader of Mr. Harford’s work in the FT. That said, I had modest expectations from this book - it was mostly an impulse buy. However, my expectations were left far behind by this superb read! Contrary to what the title may imply, Mr. Harford has not tried to identify the top 50 list (which is sensible since that would only lead to endless debate and discussion). Instead, he simply chose inventions that has had a significant impact on humanity. Furthermore, rather than just explain the story behind the invention, he has tried to explain the (often unintended and wider) consequences of the invention. This was perhaps the most fascinating part of the story for me (even if I didn’t fully agree with the implications in some cases). Consequently, this book ended up giving me the rare pleasure of a unique alchemy of deep insight of a well written non-fiction book with the guilty pleasure of a fantastic piece of fiction (which is a testament to Mr. Harford’s outstanding capability to tell a good story). In my humble opinion, this book is a must read for everyone!

Reviewer: Jeff Yutzler
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Listicle in Book Form
Review: This is a professional book, expertly written and carefully sourced. It is also Harford's weakest book to date. The problem is that listicles are a dull way to present information. The overall narrative is flimsy at best. Yes, the 50 selections are somewhat surprising and the effects of these things aren't always positive. And? Like most listicles, there isn't much of a point to it all.Harford is at his best when he can take the reader on an entertaining journey. This format does not allow him to do so.

Reviewer: Jim in Greenville
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Everyone should read this book!!
Review: A very interesting selection of the inventions that are at the foundation of the modern economy, and they are not all machines!! Many are legal or social devices, not hardware. Gives one a different paradigm from which to view the influential factors of our lives. Really good book!!

Reviewer: Dr. David Arelette
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good for bringing teenagers up to how we got here.
Review: It's an interesting list with each inclusion justified to its contribution - I found the discussion a little brief in some cases as to me there was the assumption that the reader knew a lot about the history of industrial products. That said it's an illuminating read for (say) 16 to 18 yo folks who have seen many inventions as everyday items.

Reviewer: Mac
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book
Review: Super interesting. I also really liked that each product was its own chapter, very easy to read. I liked that it's easy to put away and come back to it later. Referred this book to a lot of folks.

Reviewer: Mr Amazon
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I can't recommend this book enough. It covers the stories behind some of the most important innovations that changed the direction and face of our modern economies. For instance, did you know that barbed wire was considered more important and transformative than the telephone?From the humble yet critical plough to futuristic cryptography, the book covers the connections and often tragic backgrounds of many technologies. Through it all it maps the common thread of innovation that has helped to form the tapestry of our complex modern economies.It's immediately informative and easy to digest with short impactful chapters dedicated to each invention. This is definitely a book that will stay in your collection and influence your approach to creative thinking, especially when it comes to solving problems.

Reviewer: Leonardo Gaudino
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Leggibilissimo, ricco di curiosità e storie poco note, nonostante la loro fondamentale importanza nell'economica del mondo contemporaneo. Da leggere per chiunque sia appassionato di economia, di storia o semplicemente di racconti curiosi su fatti realmente accaduti.

Reviewer: Jaime Santos
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: El libro me ha llegado sucio, con manchas, y con las esquinas destrozadas, lo voy a devolver ahora mismo.