Publisher: Abacus

Summary: Fifty Things That Made the Modern Economy is a collection of short, engaging essays by Tim Harford that explores 50 inventions, ideas, and innovations that shaped today’s world. Each chapter focuses on a single item—such as barbed wire, credit cards, or container shipping—and explains how it influenced economics, society, and daily life. Harford shows how many modern conveniences have surprising histories and unexpected consequences, revealing the complex ways innovation drives global change. The book makes economic history accessible and interesting by connecting big ideas to familiar objects and technologies.

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