An Economics Lesson from a Talking Pencil (Update)
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A famous essay argues that “not a single person on the face of this earth” knows how to make a pencil. How true is that? In this 2016 episode, we looked at what pencil-making  can teach us about global manufacturing — and the proper role of government in the economy.

• SOURCES:

• Caroline Weaver), creator of the Locavore Guide.

• Matt Ridley), science writer, British viscount and retired member of the House of Lords

• Tim Harford), economist, author and columnist for the Financial Times

• Jim Weissenborn), former CEO of General Pencil Company

• Thomas Thwaites), freelance designer and associate lecturer at Central Saint Martins.

• RESOURCES:

• "When ideas have sex)," by Matt Ridley (TED, 2010).

• "How I built a toaster — from scratch)," by Thomas Thwaites (TED, 2010).

• "Look on this toaster, ye mighty, and despair!)" by Tim Harford (Financial Times, 2009).

• "I, Pencil)," by Leonard Read (Foundation for Economic Education, 1958).

• EXTRAS:

• “Fault-Finder Is a Minimum-Wage Job),” by *Freakonomics Radio *(2025).