On Episode 129 of The TLB Podcast, James sits down with New York Times journalist Jon Gertner—author of The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation. They explore the origin story of Bell Labs, how its telecom breakthroughs changed the world, and the ethical tensions between scientific ambition and corporate interests. From legacy inventions to its influence on today's tech landscape, this is a must-listen for innovation enthusiasts.
Support the Show:
Early access on Patreon → https://tinyurl.com/mva2z9se
Audio-only on Spotify → https://tinyurl.com/ytfnwx6s
Connect with Jon Gertner:
Book The Idea Factory → https://a.co/d/0zHgfv4
New York Times archives → https://www.nytimes.com/by/jon-gertner
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
05:21 - Bell Labs Origins
09:28 - Researching the History
23:55 - Science vs Corporate Goals
31:05 - The Future of Innovation
39:26 - Long Lines and Communication Technology
42:09 - Breakup of AT&T and Bell Labs
50:05 - Legacy
56:14 - Technology and Ethics
#innovation #BellLabs #technology #ethics #history #thetlbpod #R&D
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