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/mva2z9seAudio-only on Spotify → https://tinyurl.com/ytfnwx6sConnect with Jon Gertner:Book The Idea Factory → https://a.co/d/0zHgfv4New York Times archives → https://www.nytimes.com/by/jon-gertnerCHAPTERS00:00 - Intro05:21 - Bell Labs Origins09:28 - Researching the History23:55 - Science vs Corporate Goals31:05 - The Future of Innovation39:26 - Long Lines and Communication Technology42:09 - Breakup of AT&T and Bell Labs50:05 - Legacy56:14 - Technology and Ethics#innovation #BellLabs #technology #ethics #history #thetlbpod #R&DSupport the showPatreon Tiktok Instagram YouTube

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