The Box

In "The Box," economist Marc Levinson presents the compelling history of the shipping container, tracing its evolution from a nascent idea in 1956 to a cornerstone of global trade. The narrative explores the relentless efforts of visionary entrepreneur Malcom McLean, the financial investments required for its widespread adoption, and the intense negotiations with labor leaders that shaped the industry's landscape. Levinson highlights the container's revolutionary impact on transportation costs, economic geography, and the globalization of industry, transforming ports around the world and enabling a surge of low-cost consumer goods.