50 Things That Made the Modern Economy is a radio show and podcast on the BBC World Service.

Harford explained in a BBC interview in 2017 that his motivation for creating the show was "to paint a picture of economic change by telling the stories of the ideas, people, and tools that had far-reaching consequences".

He was "fascinated" by the many unexpected outcomes, such as "the impact of the fridge on global politics, or of the gramophone on income inequality.

[5] Each of the nine-minute long programmes introduces the story of a product or invention that revolutionised the modern world.

The series 1 episode on the index fund was re-released with additional comments by Harford in the podcast feed to commemorate the death of John C.