"An exploration of the transformative impact of inventions and discoveries in the field of economics. Features include fact boxes, sidebars, biographies, and a timeline, glossary, list of recommended reading and Web sites, and index"--Provided by publisher.

Features of an economy: tax collection -- Minted coins -- Banks -- Paper money -- Checks -- Stock markets -- Insurance -- Gold standard -- Labor unions -- Mail-order businesses -- Credit cards -- Bar code -- Automated teller machine -- Electronic commerce -- Economic systems: Feudalism -- Mercantilism -- Capitalism -- Communism -- Globalization -- Important dates in economics.