Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Who Built That summary
Michelle Malkin
Awe-Inspiring Stories of American Tinkerpreneurs
13 mins
Brief summary
Who Built That by Michelle Malkin honors the legacy of American inventors whose contributions are often overlooked. It documents the incredible stories and innovations behind our everyday items, from paper clips to windshield wipers.
Topics
Table of Contents
Who Built That
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 6
Tinkerpreneurs are the driving force of innovation.
Have you ever heard of tinkerpreneurs? The term may be unfamiliar, but it’s more than likely that their ideas and work are present in several aspects of your life. Inventors that are part-tinkerers, part-entrepreneurs, tinkerpreneurs have chosen to take their inventions out of the laboratory and bring them into the commercial world to create companies, jobs and profit.
According to President Barack Obama, inventors are nothing special. They aren’t smarter than the rest of us, nor do they work harder. Public efforts such as schools, roads and bridges are all that underlie their success.
But nothing could be further from the truth.
In contrast to what Obama thinks, tinkerpreneurs are in fact engaged, clever and determined. They are the ones who create jobs and build companies, not merely the people who work those jobs or for those companies.
Tinkerpreneurs take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the United States to invent and invest. As makers and creators, tinkerpreneurs constitute the top one percent. They enable both progress and growth. And yet, theirs is a profession fraught with challenges.
Want to see all full key ideas from Who Built That?
Key ideas in Who Built That
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Who Built That about?
Who Built That (2015) tells the stories of America’s most fascinating inventors from the last 150 years. These blinks reveal how these tinkerpreneurs, against all the odds, achieved commercial success with their revolutionary inventions.
Who Built That Review
Who Built That (2015) by Michelle Malkin is an eye-opening exploration of the incredible inventors and innovators behind some of America's most iconic structures. Here's why you should give this book a read:
- Discover the untold stories of the brilliant minds who designed and constructed famous landmarks, giving you a new appreciation for their extraordinary achievements.
- Uncover the secrets and challenges faced by architects and builders throughout history, offering fascinating insights into the tireless work behind the scenes.
- Experience Malkin's detailed research and vivid storytelling, which brings to life the captivating tales behind these famous structures, making history come alive.
Best quote from Who Built That
Ill show you how just a small handful of tinkerpreneurs profoundly revolutionized and improved every aspect of our lives.
—Michelle Malkin
Who should read Who Built That?
- Aspiring inventors interested in the history of innovation
- People interested in the development and future of intellectual property rights
- Businesses concerned about the current innovative capacities of the United States
Categories with Who Built That
Book summaries like Who Built That
The Consolations of Philosophy
Alain De Botton
A Guide to Finding Wisdom and Comfort in Life
21 min
4.1
Deeper Dating
Ken Page
How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy
18 min
4.2
Who We Are and How We Got Here
David Reich
Ancient DNA and the New Science of the Human Past
28 min
4.3
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Who Built That FAQs
What is the main message of Who Built That?
Discover the unsung heroes behind everyday inventions and the importance of recognizing their contributions.
How long does it take to read Who Built That?
Reading time varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Who Built That a good book? Is it worth reading?
Who Built That is a fascinating read that sheds light on the often overlooked innovators who shape our world.
Who is the author of Who Built That?
Michelle Malkin is the author of Who Built That.
What to read after Who Built That?
If you're wondering what to read next after Who Built That, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Kaput by Wolfgang Münchau
- Invention and Innovation by Vaclav Smil
- Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy
- How to Speed Read People by Patrick King
- How the World Eats by Julian Baggini
- Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
- A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
- Think Again by Adam Grant
- The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko
- Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance