On this episode of Our American Stories, a century ago, much of the American South was brutally uncomfortable in summer, skyscrapers could only rise so far, and keeping track of thousands of products in a store was a slow, manual job. Then a handful of inventions quietly changed how people lived and worked. Air conditioning helped transform entire regions of the country. A safer elevator made the modern skyscraper practical. And a pattern of black lines printed on a package changed the way nearly everything we buy is tracked and sold.

Economist and bestselling author Tim Harford, author of Fifty Things That Made the Modern Economy, shares the surprising stories behind air conditioning, the elevator brake, and the barcode, three inventions so ordinary today that it is easy to forget just how much of the modern world was built around them.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, a century ago, much of the American South was brutally uncomfortable in summer, skyscrapers could only rise so far, and keeping track of thousands of products in a store was a slow, manual job. Then a handful of inventions quietly changed how people lived and worked. Air conditioning helped transform entire regions of the country. A safer elevator made the modern skyscraper practical. And a pattern of black lines printed on a package changed the way nearly everything we buy is tracked and sold. Economist and bestselling author Tim Harford, author of <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftimharford.com%2Fbooks%2F50things%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C9a5e05f75a514b9976cc08df22fd8e04%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639268144568404622%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Wbf%2F72hS8alsgWF8jUl%2BRKdmPYqp6qOge1xHnd7RS30%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">Fifty Things That Made the Modern Economy</a>, shares the surprising stories behind air conditioning, the elevator brake, and the barcode, three inventions so ordinary today that it is easy to forget just how much of the modern world was built around them.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

How Air Conditioning, Barcodes, and Elevators Changed the World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2d989039-b903-4514-938c-b4db001d3847/transcript