The Stories Behind the Accidental Inventors Who Shaped the World

The Leonard Lopate Show | Sep 26, 2014

Steven Johnson tells some surprising stories of accidental genius and brilliant mistakes that led to the invention of some everyday objects of modern life. He explores the history of innovation of refrigeration, clocks, and eyeglass lenses, among others, from their creation by hobbyists, amateurs, and entrepreneurs to their unintended consequences. His book How We Got to Now: Six Innovations That Made the Modern World investigates the secret history behind important inventions.

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