Mokyr 1-2

technology provides a "free lunch," an increase in output without an increase in costs and labor

Roman empire:


what causes economic growth (increase in gross national product per capita)?

If economic growth comes from technological change, then where does technological progress come from?  Before the 20th century not usually from organized research and development

The process of invention:

So what makes one society more creative than another?

This book will focus on larger inventions (macroinventions), not small incremental change (microinventions)

Technological progress in classical civilizations:

"Classical society was inventive, original, and inquisitive.  But it was not particularly technologically creative." (pp. 28-9) 
Innovation is just as important as invention