The plough was a simple yet transformative technology. It was the plough that kick-started civilisation in the first place – that, ultimately, made our modern economy possible. But the plough did more than create the underpinning of civilisation – with all its benefits and inequities. Different types of plough led to different types of civilisation.

Presenter: Tim Harford
Producer: Ben Crighton

(Photo: Farmer ploughing field, Credit: Shutterstock) Show less