The Idea Factory cover art

The Idea Factory

Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation

 Preview

Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Idea Factory

Written by: Jon Gertner
Narrated by: Chris Sorensen
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $33.40

Buy Now for $33.40

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

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
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Idea Factory

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    7
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.ca reviews

Amazon Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Alex

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.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!