About me

I am a journalist and author based in London. My speciality is the use of historical analogy in science, technology and business writing. I run the “back half” of The Economist (Business, Finance & Economics, Science & Technology) and I also edit the Technology Quarterly. I like to play the drums, play video games and drink wine. But not all at the same time, obviously. You can contact me at tomtom at pobox dot com.

Official bio

Tom Standage is business affairs editor at The Economist, where he oversees the magazine’s business, finance, economics, science and technology coverage. He is also the author of five history books, including “An Edible History of Humanity” (2009), “A History of the World in Six Glasses” (2005), a New York Times bestseller, and “The Victorian Internet” (1998), described by the Wall Street Journal as a “dot-com cult classic”. Tom has written for other publications including the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, the New York Times and Wired, and is a regular commentator on BBC radio. He holds a degree in engineering and computer science from Oxford University, and is the least musical member of a musical family. He is married and lives in London with his wife and children.

“A terrific writer” — The New York Times

“Angular, toothsome” — The Seattle Times

“Slender, talkative” — The Boston Globe

Unofficial bio by Ella, age 6, from 2006

My daddys name is tom. he tells me storys. he likse beer coffee and rum. he has bron hair and blue eyes. he has a nose that looks funny. he is 36 years old. he is great! he has big ears. he works in the Economist. he ritse books. he isent very good at gardening. he dose smelly farts. I love him.

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