50 Things That Made the Modern Economy Episodes Available now
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Battery
The story of the battery begins inside a dead murderer. It’s a tale that’s far from over
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Public Key Cryptography
Geeks versus government – the story of public key cryptography
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320x180/p04vb87g.jpg)
Robot
Robots threaten the human workforce, but they are crucial to the modern economy
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320x180/p04tj5wb.jpg)
Disposable Razor
King Camp Gillette created the disposable razor. But his influence extends beyond shaving
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320x180/p04ssc30.jpg)
Clock
The clock was invented in 1656 and has become an essential part of the modern economy.
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320x180/p04s1vqd.jpg)
The words 'clever' and 'death' crop up less often than 'Google' in conversation
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Insurance
Insurance is as old as gambling, but it’s fundamental to the way the modern economy works
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320x180/p04qw00w.jpg)
Paper
The Gutenberg press changed the world – but it could not have done so without paper
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Antibiotics
The tale of antibiotics is a cautionary one, and economic incentives are often to blame
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/320x180/p04pc9vq.jpg)
Billy Bookcase
Low cost, functional and brilliantly efficient, one is produced every three seconds