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50 Things That Made the Modern Economy

Factual: Money

The stories of inventions, ideas and innovations which helped create the economic world

Tim Harford tells the fascinating stories of inventions, ideas and innovations which have helped create the economic world.

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50 Things That Made the Modern Economy: Air Conditioning

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Air Conditioning

22/04/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy, Air ConditioningSearch BBC

Invented for the printing industry, air conditioning now influences where and how we live

Originally invented to counter the effects of humidity on the printing process, air conditioning has been a transformative technology, influencing where and how we live.

Tim Harford tells the surprising story of air conditioning which was invented in 1902 to counter the effects of humidity on the printing process. Over the following decades “aircon” found its way into our homes, cars and offices. But air conditioning is much more than a mere convenience. It is a transformative technology; one that has had a profound influence on where and how we live. 

Producer: Ben Crighton
Editors: Richard Knight and Richard Vadon

(Image: Air conditioning vent, Credit: Dorason/Shutterstock)

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