How We Got to Now

by Steven Johnson

One thing leads to another. This is an excellent book for people who enjoy learning the history of technology. For example time zones were not necessary until we had relatively rapid train transportation and then the telegraph changed it again. The complex way that innovation in one area changes things unpredictably in other areas is a theme of this book and completely destroys the idea that central planners can shape the future.

“When you have a leap forward in the accuracy of measuring something, new possibilities emerge.”