Technology & the Future
Inventions that Changed the World

Inventions that Changed the World

Change comes with a backstory, and here it is

By The Blinkist Curators

Sign up to play collection

What's it about?

Technology & the Future
Change comes with a backstory, and this collection looks at the inventions that have driven change—in ways both expected and unexpected. From historical events to contemporary realities, these Blinks will help you understand you how we got to where we are.

Inventions that Changed the World

Change comes with a backstory, and here it is

A History of the World in 6 Glasses
A History of the World in 6 Glasses
Tom Standage
Teaser: How your favorite drinks changed the world
18 min4.3
Napoleon’s Buttons
Napoleon’s Buttons
Penny Le Couteur (Author), Jay Burreson
How 17 Molecules Changed History
20 min4.5
Tubes
Tubes
Andrew Blum
A Journey to the Center of the Internet
10 min3.6
Inventology
Inventology
Pagan Kennedy
How We Dream Up Things That Change the World
17 min4.0
Bourbon Empire
Bourbon Empire
Reid Mitenbuler
The Past and Future of America's Whiskey
14 min4.4
The Design of Everday Things
The Design of Everday Things
Donald Norman
The cognitive psychology of good design
17 min4.3
Wonderland
Wonderland
Steven Johnson
How Play Made the Modern World
17 min4.4

Understand powerful ideas in 15 minutes—with Blinkist!

Get started

More collections

Other collections you might like

Understanding Our Vast Universe
Understanding Our Vast Universe
Blinkist
Go beyond the edge of the Earth, from the moon to the Higgs boson
11 items
This Is the Human Genome
This Is the Human Genome
Blinkist
Understanding human nature by unraveling our genetic makeup
11 items
Space, the Final Frontier
Space, the Final Frontier
Blinkist
Launch yourself into the human obsession with space
10 items
The Blinkist Reading List for Kids
The Blinkist Reading List for Kids
Blinkist
Fun facts and surprising insights for curious young minds
9 items
Materials That Moved The World
Materials That Moved The World
Blinkist
The world wouldn't be what it is without these things
11 items
Curiously Quirky History
Curiously Quirky History
Blinkist
The unusual parts of history are the most interesting
11 items

Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

Get started

Turn reading into a daily habit

Join millions of readers — discover key ideas from 9,000+ bestselling books on leadership, psychology, science, and more.

Get started

No credit card required · Cancel anytime