Do not miss this wonderful TED talk by Hans Rosling. He celebrates the washing machine – a device to us moderns so banal, so obvious, even (for some of us) so harmful to the environment, what with its use of electricity and chemicals and water. (HT Thomas Boudreaux)
This video captures so very well a vital element in the story of economic growth.
In the same vein, I recommend also the 1999 four-part television series 1900 House.
