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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Box summary
Marc Levinson
How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
24 mins
Brief summary
'The Box' by Marc Levinson explores the history and impact of the shipping container, from revolutionizing global trade to transforming labor practices.
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The Box
Summary of 10 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 10
It’s not containers themselves that are key, but how they’ve been used.
Have you ever thought about all the different places you’ve seen shipping containers? On trains, trucks and ships; some are even retrofitted to become people’s homes! But there's more to these ubiquitous industrial objects than meets the eye.
That’s because the container isn’t just a box, but the core of an extraordinarily system that transports goods all over the world at unbeatably low prices.
On April 26, 1958, when the first 58 containers ever to be launched shipped from Newark, New Jersey, to Houston, Texas, nobody could’ve predicted the world-changing impact they would have. But today, the incredible speed with which containers load and unload has cut transportation costs so drastically that it’s the go-to solution for practically every company.
For instance, in 1961, before international container use, ocean freight costs alone comprised 12 percent of the costs of US exports and 10 percent of those for imports. This expense, coupled with taxes and other transportation-related costs, meant that international trade was rarely profitable.
In fact, freight handling at ports used to be a major expense, but containers and the level of automation they make possible have greatly reduced these costs. Containers have also completely transformed the face of manufacturing: small, local operations have given way to huge companies that buy and sell globally, which has also enabled a reduction in consumer prices.
The container fundamentally altered the scale at which goods are traded. The companies that employed them became larger, better organized and more reliable, and it was all due to the container’s place in a highly efficient system of perfectly fitting components.
For instance, a 25-ton container of coffee at a factory in Malaysia can travel 9,000 miles to Los Angeles in just 16 days. From there, it can board a train to Chicago and then a truck to Cincinnati for a total trip of 11,000 miles in a mere 22 days. That’s 500 miles a day and the total cost of shipping is less than a single first-class plane ticket.
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What is The Box about?
The Box (2006) tells the tale of modern transportation’s poster child, the container, and how it revolutionized the shipping industry and enabled globalization. These blinks will take you on a detailed journey through this seemingly simple but revolutionary change in global systems of trade.
The Box Review
The Box (2006) explores the fascinating history and impact of the humble shipping container, revealing why it revolutionized global trade. Here's why this book is definitely worth a read:
- With engaging storytelling and impressive research, it uncovers the rise of containerization and its incredible influence on the modern world.
- The book delves into the economic, social, and political implications of containerization, providing a comprehensive understanding of its significance.
- By exploring the stories of people involved in the shipping industry and the challenges they faced, it adds a human element that keeps readers captivated.
Who should read The Box?
- Professionals in logistics, transportation or trading
- People interested in globalization
- Every economics and business student
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The Box FAQs
What is the main message of The Box?
The main message of The Box is the impact of container shipping on global trade and its transformative effect on the world economy.
How long does it take to read The Box?
The reading time for The Box varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Box a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Box is worth reading for its insightful exploration of container shipping's influence on international trade. It offers valuable insights and historical context.
Who is the author of The Box?
The author of The Box is Marc Levinson.
What to read after The Box?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Box, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver
- The Practice of Not Thinking by Ryunosuke Koike
- Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari
- Leadership on the Line by Ronald A. Heifetz & Marty Linsky
- Developing the Leader Within You by John C. Maxwell
- The Panama Papers by Bastian Obermayer & Frederik Obermaier
- Too Smart by Jathan Sadowski
- The Myth of the Strong Leader by Archie Brown
- Do Epic Shit by Ankur Warikoo
- Momentum by Sam Silverstein