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Inventors among the “Impoverished Sophisticateâ€

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  • Berger, Thor
  • Prawitz, Erik

Abstract

This paper examines the identity and origins of Swedish inventors prior to World War I drawing on the universe of patent records linked to census data. We document that the rise of innovation during Sweden’s industrialization can largely be attributed to a small industrial elite belonging to the upper-tail of the economic, educational, and social status distribution. Analyzing children’s opportunities to become an inventor, we show that inventors were disproportionately drawn from privileged family backgrounds. However, among the middle- and working-class children that managed to overcome the barriers to entry, innovation was a path to upward mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • Berger, Thor & Prawitz, Erik, 2023. "Inventors among the “Impoverished Sophisticateâ€," CEPR Discussion Papers 18147, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:18147
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation;

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development

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