50 Things That Made the Modern Economy

4.8 (1.2K)
BUSINESS

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

22/07/2021

Introducing: Season 2 of 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter

How animals make us smarter – we thought you might like to hear our brand new episode. It’s about a robotic arm inspired by an elephant’s trunk. For more, search for 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter wherever you get your podcasts. #30Animals

18 min
09/03/2020

Introducing 13 Minutes to the Moon Season 2

Jump on-board a doomed mission to the Moon. Apollo 13: the extraordinary story, told by the people who flew it and saved it. Search for 13 Minutes to the Moon wherever you get your podcasts. #13MinutestotheMoon

4 min
02/03/2020

Gutenberg press

Johannes Gutenberg's printing press changed the course of human history. It created a new way of doing business, drastically reduced the cost and speed of making books, and enabled texts, ideas and arguments to spread further and faster than ever before. So why did he struggle to make money from it?

10 min
24/02/2020

Slot machines

First developed by a toy company in the 1890s, slot machines have become one of the most profitable tools of the gambling trade - but many who play them say winning isn't the point. So why can't people pull themselves away? Tim Harford looks under the spinning wheels and flashing lights to see what these devices reveal about the business of addiction.

10 min
17/02/2020

Chess algorithms

In 1997, Garry Kasparov, widely regarded as the world's greatest chess player, was defeated by Deep Blue, a computer. But how much did that reveal about the 'brainpower' of machines? Tim Harford explains by delving into the history of algorithms. They've been used by mathematicians and scientists for millennia, but have acquired a new level of power and importance in the digital age.

10 min
10/02/2020

Auctions

Are things only worth what people are willing to pay for them? Tim Harford explains why a method of buying and selling that originated in ancient times has endured to the present day, and is now underpinning the success of some of the internet's most powerful brands.

10 min
03/02/2020

Dams

From reliable water supplies to large-scale electricity generation, the benefits brought by dams can be huge. But so can the problems. Tim Harford explains how these massive structures have changed the world for many, but led to catastrophe for others.

10 min
27/01/2020

Tulips

In the 1630s, the Netherlands experienced 'tulip mania' - a surge in demand for tulips from wealthy buyers, with some individual bulbs costing twenty times more than a carpenter's annual salary. Then, in February 1637, the price suddenly crashed. It's often cited as the first great financial bubble, but is that really the case? Tim Harford tries to sort fact from fiction.

10 min

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Tim Harford

Host

4.8

out of 5

1,193 Ratings

Very interesting

20/08/2022

jovin9

A great range of subjects and a lot of information packed into short episodes.
So many ads!

3 Mar

CplSyx

This is a great podcast, really informative and interesting. However listening to it whilst doing some work I am being bombarded with ads for other podcasts and shows. Each episode is 10 minutes and 10-20% of each one is spent advertising a different podcast. Even more frustrating when some of the other shows being advertised are ones I’ve already listened to and so I’m forced to hear a repetitive ad for no reason! Constantly having to skip completely interrupts doing any other activity whilst listening. It turns what would be a great bingeable series into something that is frustrating to experience.
Informative, succinct, fascinating

12/03/2021

Nicmx5

Informative, succinct, fascinating
Love it !!!!!!

18/10/2020

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I love this. Only one complaint there are only 50 episodes!