The Most Powerful Idea in the World

Explore the origins of intellectual property and its impact on the Industrial Revolution with this passionate and lively study. William Rosen's The Most Powerful Idea in the World focuses on the engineering and scientific breakthroughs that led to the steam engine and argues that the notion of intellectual property drove the entire Industrial Revolution. With a cast of eccentric characters and a witty exploration of creativity, capital, and collaboration, Rosen's account of one of humanity's most important inventions will take you on a rollicking ride through history.