In 'The Box', Marc Levinson unveils the transformative power of the shipping container, an unassuming yet revolutionary invention that reshaped global trade. Journeying through history, he reveals how this simple design ignited unprecedented economic growth and altered the way goods are transported and consumed. With vivid anecdotes and compelling insights, Levinson explores the implications of containerization on modern society and international relations. As we unpack the layers of this innovation, we are led to question how much we truly understand about the connections that shape our world. Discover how a mere box became the backbone of the global economy, challenging our perspectives on progress and globalization.
By Marc Levinson
Published: 2016
"In a world where boundaries blur and commerce knows no borders, the humble shipping container has become the silent architect of globalization, reshaping economies and cultures in its unassuming steel embrace."
In April 1956, a refitted oil tanker carried fifty-eight shipping containers from Newark to Houston. From that modest beginning, container shipping developed into a huge industry that reshaped manufacturing. But the container didn't just happen. Its adoption required huge sums of money, years of high-stakes bargaining, and delicate negotiation on standards. Now with a new chapter, The Box tells the dramatic story of how the drive and imagination of an iconoclastic entrepreneur turned containerization from an impractical idea into a phenomenon that transformed economic geography, slashed transportation costs, and made the boom in global trade possible. -- from back cover.
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“In a world where boundaries blur and commerce knows no borders, the humble shipping container has become the silent architect of globalization, reshaping economies and cultures in its unassuming steel embrace.”
The Box
By Marc Levinson
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Marc Levinson is an acclaimed author and economic historian known for his insightful explorations of economic history and globalization. His notable works include 'The Great A&P and the Struggle for Small Business in America,' which examines the impact of large corporations on American businesses and society, and 'An Extraordinary Time: The End of the Postwar Boom and the Uncertain Future of the American Economy,' where he analyzes the economic transformations since the mid-20th century. Levinson's writing is characterized by meticulous research, engaging narratives, and a dedication to making complex economic ideas accessible to a broad audience.
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