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  • The Idea Factory

  • Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation
  • Written by: Jon Gertner
  • Narrated by: Chris Sorensen
  • Length: 17 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (14 ratings)

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The Idea Factory

Written by: Jon Gertner
Narrated by: Chris Sorensen
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Publisher's Summary

In The Idea Factory, New York Times Magazine writer Jon Gertner reveals how Bell Labs served as an incubator for scientific innovation from the 1920s through the 1980s. In its heyday, Bell Labs boasted nearly 15,000 employees, 1200 of whom held PhDs and 13 of whom won Nobel Prizes. Thriving in a work environment that embraced new ideas, Bell Labs scientists introduced concepts that still propel many of today’s most exciting technologies.
©2012 Jon Gertner (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC
History & Culture Small Business & Entrepreneurship United States Innovation Business
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Great Listen

The book focusses more on the achievements of the early years physics in Bell labs. The story suggests more time will be spent discussing later years and the evolution of the labs, but this is tapered off towards the end.
I think the emphasis on the impactful research is the most interesting part anyways, so I rate it highly.

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