Podcasts Business 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy
50 Things That Made the Modern Economy

50 Things That Made the Modern Economy

109 episodes

Tim Harford tells the fascinating stories of inventions, ideas and innovations which have helped create the economic world.


Podcasts

Introducing: Season 2 of 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter

Published: July 22, 2021, 5:15 p.m.
Duration: 18 minutes 4 seconds

Listed in: Business

Introducing 13 Minutes to the Moon Season 2

Published: March 9, 2020, 5:17 p.m.
Duration: 3 minutes 53 seconds

Listed in: Business

Gutenberg press

Published: March 2, 2020, 2 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 10 seconds

Listed in: Business

Slot machines

Published: Feb. 24, 2020, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 34 seconds

Listed in: Business

Chess algorithms

Published: Feb. 17, 2020, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 55 seconds

Listed in: Business

Auctions

Published: Feb. 10, 2020, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 51 seconds

Listed in: Business

Dams

Published: Feb. 3, 2020, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 51 seconds

Listed in: Business

Tulips

Published: Jan. 27, 2020, 2 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 1 second

Listed in: Business

Sanitary towel

Published: Jan. 20, 2020, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 46 seconds

Listed in: Business

Wardian case

Published: Jan. 13, 2020, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Fast food franchise

Published: Jan. 6, 2020, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 51 seconds

Listed in: Business

CCTV

Published: Dec. 30, 2019, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 51 seconds

Listed in: Business

Retirement

Published: Dec. 23, 2019, 2 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 32 seconds

Listed in: Business

Santa

Published: Dec. 16, 2019, 2 a.m.
Duration: 16 minutes 7 seconds

Listed in: Business

Sewing machine

Published: Dec. 9, 2019, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 37 seconds

Listed in: Business

Hollerith punch card

Published: Dec. 2, 2019, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 53 seconds

Listed in: Business

Stock option

Published: Nov. 25, 2019, 2 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 5 seconds

Listed in: Business

Fundraising appeal

Published: Nov. 18, 2019, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 53 seconds

Listed in: Business

SWIFT

Published: Nov. 11, 2019, 2 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 5 seconds

Listed in: Business

Wedgwood

Published: Nov. 4, 2019, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 38 seconds

Listed in: Business

Glasses

Published: Oct. 28, 2019, 2 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 27 seconds

Listed in: Business

Vickrey turnstile

Published: Oct. 21, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 44 seconds

Listed in: Business

GPS

Published: Oct. 14, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Bonsack machine

Published: Oct. 7, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 35 seconds

Listed in: Business

Prohibition

Published: Sept. 30, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 7 seconds

Listed in: Business

Interface Message Processor

Published: Sept. 23, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 20 seconds

Listed in: Business

Canned food

Published: Sept. 16, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 57 seconds

Listed in: Business

Interchangeable parts

Published: Sept. 9, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 30 seconds

Listed in: Business

Oil

Published: Sept. 2, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 59 seconds

Listed in: Business

Chatbot

Published: Aug. 26, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 3 seconds

Listed in: Business

Solar PV

Published: Aug. 19, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 49 seconds

Listed in: Business

Cassava

Published: Aug. 12, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 54 seconds

Listed in: Business

Fire

Published: Aug. 5, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 51 seconds

Listed in: Business

RFID: The tech youve never heard of but use every day

Published: July 29, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 1 second

Listed in: Business

Postage stamp

Published: July 22, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 7 seconds

Listed in: Business

Rubber

Published: July 15, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 59 seconds

Listed in: Business

CubeSat

Published: July 8, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 56 seconds

Listed in: Business

Factory

Published: June 29, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 59 seconds

Listed in: Business

Blockchain

Published: June 24, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 32 seconds

Listed in: Business

Pencil

Published: June 17, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 25 seconds

Listed in: Business

'Like' button

Published: June 10, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 59 seconds

Listed in: Business

Dwarf wheat

Published: June 3, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes

Listed in: Business

Pornography

Published: May 27, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 57 seconds

Listed in: Business

Recycling

Published: May 20, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 34 seconds

Listed in: Business

Spreadsheet

Published: May 13, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 31 seconds

Listed in: Business

Brick

Published: May 6, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 52 seconds

Listed in: Business

Mail order catalogue

Published: April 29, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Bicycle

Published: April 22, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 59 seconds

Listed in: Business

QWERTY

Published: April 15, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 59 seconds

Listed in: Business

Bonus 4: Woodpecker and black box

Published: April 15, 2019, 12:30 a.m.
Duration: 14 minutes 57 seconds

Listed in: Business

Gyroscope

Published: April 8, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes

Listed in: Business

Bonus 3: Mosquito and surgical needle

Published: April 8, 2019, 12:30 a.m.
Duration: 15 minutes 11 seconds

Listed in: Business

Cellophane

Published: April 1, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 26 seconds

Listed in: Business

Bonus 2: Octopus and camouflage

Published: April 1, 2019, midnight
Duration: 13 minutes 15 seconds

Listed in: Business

Langstroth Hive

Published: March 25, 2019, 1:30 a.m.
Duration: 11 minutes

Listed in: Business

Bonus: 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter

Published: March 25, 2019, 1 a.m.
Duration: 15 minutes 28 seconds

Listed in: Business

Coming soon: Season two

Published: March 17, 2019, 9 p.m.
Duration: 1 minute 28 seconds

Listed in: Business

Index Fund

Published: Jan. 17, 2019, 4 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 43 seconds

Listed in: Business

Special Bonus: Santa Claus

Published: Dec. 17, 2018, 11:20 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 9 seconds

Listed in: Business

Number 51

Published: Oct. 28, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 39 seconds

Listed in: Business

The Plough

Published: Oct. 21, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 59 seconds

Listed in: Business

Cold Chain

Published: Oct. 14, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 23 seconds

Listed in: Business

Welfare State

Published: Oct. 7, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 47 seconds

Listed in: Business

Property Register

Published: Sept. 30, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 1 second

Listed in: Business

Searching for 51

Published: Sept. 23, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 9 seconds

Listed in: Business

Management Consulting

Published: Sept. 16, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 33 seconds

Listed in: Business

Double-entry Bookkeeping

Published: Sept. 9, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 18 seconds

Listed in: Business

S-Bend

Published: Sept. 2, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 15 seconds

Listed in: Business

Radar

Published: Aug. 26, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 33 seconds

Listed in: Business

Market Research

Published: Aug. 19, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 10 minutes 38 seconds

Listed in: Business

Plastic

Published: Aug. 12, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 14 seconds

Listed in: Business

Seller Feedback

Published: Aug. 5, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 8 seconds

Listed in: Business

Paper Money

Published: July 29, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 13 seconds

Listed in: Business

Limited Liability Company

Published: July 22, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 8 seconds

Listed in: Business

Dynamo

Published: July 15, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 8 seconds

Listed in: Business

Leaded Petrol

Published: July 8, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 12 seconds

Listed in: Business

Department Store

Published: July 1, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 8 seconds

Listed in: Business

Barbed Wire

Published: June 24, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 13 seconds

Listed in: Business

Tax Havens

Published: June 17, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 13 seconds

Listed in: Business

Infant Formula

Published: June 10, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 9 seconds

Listed in: Business

Tally Stick

Published: May 27, 2017, 2:50 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 12 seconds

Listed in: Business

Passports

Published: May 22, 2017, 11:05 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 13 seconds

Listed in: Business

Intellectual Property

Published: May 13, 2017, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 10 seconds

Listed in: Business

Video Games

Published: May 6, 2017, 2 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 11 seconds

Listed in: Business

Cuneiform

Published: April 29, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 9 seconds

Listed in: Business

Air Conditioning

Published: April 22, 2017, 8:30 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 8 seconds

Listed in: Business

Elevator

Published: April 15, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 14 seconds

Listed in: Business

Contraceptive Pill

Published: April 8, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 14 seconds

Listed in: Business

TV Dinner

Published: April 1, 2017, 3 a.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 8 seconds

Listed in: Business

Gramophone

Published: March 25, 2017, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 57 seconds

Listed in: Business

Battery

Published: March 18, 2017, 8 p.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 13 seconds

Listed in: Business

Public Key Cryptography

Published: March 11, 2017, 8 p.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 13 seconds

Listed in: Business

Robot

Published: March 4, 2017, 8 p.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 12 seconds

Listed in: Business

Disposable Razor

Published: Feb. 25, 2017, 2:09 p.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 12 seconds

Listed in: Business

Clock

Published: Feb. 18, 2017, 2:14 p.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 9 seconds

Listed in: Business

Google

Published: Feb. 11, 2017, 3:03 p.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 14 seconds

Listed in: Business

Insurance

Published: Feb. 4, 2017, 8 p.m.
Duration: 9 minutes 11 seconds

Listed in: Business

Paper

Published: Jan. 28, 2017, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Antibiotics

Published: Jan. 20, 2017, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 59 seconds

Listed in: Business

Billy Bookcase

Published: Jan. 14, 2017, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Compiler

Published: Jan. 7, 2017, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

M-Pesa

Published: Dec. 31, 2016, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Lightbulb

Published: Dec. 24, 2016, 8:59 a.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Banking

Published: Dec. 17, 2016, 9 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Barcode

Published: Dec. 10, 2016, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

iPhone

Published: Dec. 3, 2016, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Concrete

Published: Nov. 26, 2016, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 57 seconds

Listed in: Business

Shipping Container

Published: Nov. 19, 2016, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Haber-Bosch Process

Published: Nov. 14, 2016, 9:36 a.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business

Diesel Engine

Published: Nov. 5, 2016, 8 p.m.
Duration: 8 minutes 58 seconds

Listed in: Business