Paperback review: Makers, By Chris Anderson

Everyone has the power to invent in these technological times

Anderson's thesis is that we are living through a change in the way we make, buy, and sell things as world-changing as the First Industrial Revolution.

He takes as his starting point his grandfather's invention of a lawn-sprinkler. In the 1940s, he had to find a company to license, manufacture and market it. Now, the distinction between inventor and entrepreneur has been eroded. Start-up costs for businesses are low, and the increasing sophistication of 3D printers means we'll soon be able to turn our garages into factories. This will certainly change the shape of the world economy – and possibly even ourselves: Anderson envisions the possibility of DIY biology one day ....

Random House £8.99