Category: Retired

Posted on

50 Things That Made the Modern Economy - M-Pesa

Transferring money by text message is far safer and more convenient than cash. M-Pesa, as it is known, first took off in Kenya. The idea was to make it easier for small businesses to repay micro-finance loans. But, almost immediately, M-Pesa exploded into something far bigger - there are now 100 times more M-Pesa kiosks than ATMs in Kenya – and with far-reaching consequences, in many developing economies. Tim Harford describes how money transferred this way is easy to trace, which is bad news for the corrupt. And good news for tax authorities. Producer: Ben Crighton Editors: Richard Knight and Richard Vadon (Photo: Mobile Phone and M-Pesa sign, Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
Posted on

50 Things That Made the Modern Economy - Lightbulb

Once too precious to use, now too cheap to notice – the significance of the lightbulb is profound. Imagine a hard week’s work gathering and chopping wood, ten hours a day for six days. Those 60 hours of work would produce light equivalent to one modern bulb shining for just 54 minutes. The invention of tallow candles made life a little easier. If you spent a whole week making them – unpleasant work – you would have enough to burn one for two hours and twenty minutes every evening for a year. Every subsequent technology was expensive, and labour-intensive. And none produced a strong, steady light. Then, as Tim Harford explains, Thomas Edison came along with the lightbulb and changed everything, turning our economy into one where we can work whenever we want to. Producer: Ben Crighton Editors: Richard Knight and Richard Vadon (Photo: Electric lightbulb, Credit: Science photo library)
Posted on

Crimetown - S1 E06: Gerald and Harold

Police discover a bullet-riddled body in the backseat of a car. Jerry Tillinghast and his brother Harold are arrested. But doubts are soon raised about Harold’s involvement. And now, Jerry has a choice: break the mob’s code of silence, or allow his brother to join him in prison.

For a full list of credits, and for more information about this episode, visit crimetownshow.com.

Our Sponsors

Mailchimp – More than 12 million people use MailChimp to connect with their customers, market their products, and grow their businesses every day.

Squarespace – For 10% off your first purchase go to Squarespace.com and use the offer code “CRIME” at checkout. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Posted on

50 Things That Made the Modern Economy - Banking

Warrior monks, crusaders and the mysterious origins of modern banking. You might think banks are so central to every economy that they have always existed. And they have, sort of. But the true story of the origins of modern banking is – as Tim Harford explains – as surprising and mysterious as the plot of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code. (Photo: Temple Church in London. Credit: Kiev Victor/Shutterstock)
Posted on

Crimetown - S1 E05: The Art of the Deal

Buddy Cianci, the popular mayor of Providence, runs for governor. But he knows something the people of Rhode Island don’t. And when they discover Buddy’s secret, it threatens to derail his political career. So what does Buddy do? He picks a fight.

For a full list of credits, and for more information about this episode, visit crimetownshow.com.

Our Sponsors

Mailchimp – More than 12 million people use MailChimp to connect with their customers, market their products, and grow their businesses every day.

Squarespace – For 10% off your first purchase go to Squarespace.com and use the offer code "CRIME" at checkout.

Talkspace – to learn more or sign up go to talkspace.com/crimetown and use the code "CRIMETOWN" to get $30 off your first month. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Posted on

50 Things That Made the Modern Economy - Barcode

How vast mega-stores emerged with the help of a design originally drawn in the sand in 1948 by Joseph Woodland as he sat on a Florida beach, observing the furrows left behind, an idea came to him which would – eventually – become the barcode. This now ubiquitous stamp, found on virtually every product, was designed to make it easier for retailers to automate the process of recording sales. But, as Tim Harford explains, its impact would prove to be far greater than that. The barcode changed the balance of power between large and small retailers. (Image: Barcode with red laser line, Credit: Jamie Cross/Shutterstock)
Posted on

Crimetown - S1 E04: The Bonded Vault Heist

August 14, 1975. A ragtag crew of crooks holds up a fur company. But it’s not just a fur company. It’s the Patriarca crime family’s secret bank. And now, the thieves not only have to run from the law—they have to run for their lives.

Our Sponsors

Blue Apron – To get your first three meals free with free shipping, go to blueapron.com/crimetown.

Mailchimp – More than 12 million people use MailChimp to connect with their customers, market their products, and grow their businesses every day.

Squarespace – For 10% off your first purchase go to Squarespace.com and use the offer code “CRIME” at checkout. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Posted on

50 Things That Made the Modern Economy - iPhone

Surprisingly, Uncle Sam played an essential role in the creation and development of the iPhone - of course, much has been written about the late Steve Jobs and other leading figures at Apple and their role in making the modern icon, and its subsequent impact on our lives. And rightfully so. But who are other key players without whom the iPhone might have been little more than an expensive toy? Tim Harford tells the story of how the iPhone became a truly revolutionary technology. (Photo: Steve Jobs unveils the iPhone, Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
Posted on

Crimetown - S1 E03: The Making of a Mayor

Buddy Cianci runs for mayor as the anti-corruption candidate, promising to change Providence. He’s a novice Republican politician in a city ruled by Democrats and mobbed-up unions. As he struggles to get elected, he faces an impossible choice: stay clean and lose, or get a little dirty and win.

For credits and more information about this episode, visit crimetownshow.com.

Our Sponsors

Blue Apron - To get your first three meals free with free shipping, go to blueapron.com/crimetown.

Mailchimp - More than 12 million people use MailChimp to connect with their customers, market their products, and grow their businesses every day.

Squarespace - For 10% off your first purchase go to Squarespace.com and use the offer code "CRIME" at checkout. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Posted on

50 Things That Made the Modern Economy - Concrete

It's improved health, school attendance, agricultural productivity and farm worker wages, but concrete has a poor reputation. It takes a lot of energy to produce and releases a great deal of CO2 in the process. However, architects appreciate its versatility and there are few more important inventions. Tim Harford tells the remarkable hidden story of a ubiquitous, unloved material. (Image: Masons hands spread concrete, Credit: APGuide/Shutterstock)