Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation (2013)

The Idea Factory by Jon Gertner explores the history of Bell Labs, the research arm of AT&T that played a pivotal role in shaping modern technology from the 1920s to the 1980s. The book highlights groundbreaking innovations such as the transistor, laser, digital communications, and cellular technology, all of which emerged from the lab’s culture of scientific curiosity and collaboration. Through the stories of key figures like Mervin Kelly, Bill Shockley, and Claude Shannon, Gertner examines how Bell Labs fostered creativity and pioneered approaches to managing innovation. As companies today strive to drive technological progress, The Idea Factory provides valuable insights into the conditions that enable world-changing discoveries.