Mother of Invention
Marcal, KatrineNecessity might be considered the mother of invention, but Swedish journalist Katrine Marçal reveals that there is a lot more to the science of selecting what inventions are regarded as worthwhile, than simply science itself. Subtitled ‘how good ideas get ignored in an economy built for men’, this well-researched book considers, among many interesting scenarios, why it was that wheeled suitcases were late to the party, why electric cars were originally rejected in favour of petrol cars back in the early 1900s and how it is that people who work with machines or numbers earn more than those who work with people.
Examining both the past and future impacts of sexism in the economy, this is a fascinating and thought-provoking read.
Comments from BDS Reviewers
"This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book."
"The book is written in a free-flowing style which is very easy to read."
"This book is clearly well-researched and contains a large number of interesting anecdotes. Most of it is written in a style that is very readable."
"A fascinating insight into how our world has become dominated by male beliefs which automatically deprecate anything seen as feminine."
"I think everyone would benefit from reading this book and thinking about the implications. I suspect that some however will dismiss it as 'feminist'."
"I found it very interesting - eg, the suitcase on wheels being seen initially as 'unmanly'; electric cars being seen as suitable only for women; and there are more. Very informative."
"The book combines history, social commentary, predictions, and feminist polemic quite well. Very interesting."
"The author is a little strident at times. I wonder if this is a function of the translation from Swedish or whether this is her normal style."
308
2021
Reviews
