The Box

Archival Summary & Scope

*The Box* unravels the dramatic story behind container shipping, a seemingly simple innovation that revolutionized global trade. Economist Marc Levinson reveals the intense decade of struggle following its modest 1956 debut—detailing the immense investments, high-stakes labor negotiations, and critical standardization efforts required for its adoption. This disruptive technology, crucially proven during the Vietnam War, transformed economic geography, boosting obscure ports while devastating traditional ones like New York and London. Drawing on previously neglected sources, Levinson demonstrates how containerization dramatically lowered shipping costs, enabling Asia to become the world's manufacturing hub and bringing an unprecedented array of affordable products to consumers worldwide.