The text you provided is an excerpt from the book "How Innovation Works" by Matt Ridley. The book examines the nature of innovation, its history, and its economic and social implications. Ridley argues that innovation is a gradual and incremental process, often driven by serendipity and the interaction of individuals, firms, and markets. He explores how seemingly simple inventions, such as the toilet and corrugated iron, have had a profound impact on human society. He also contrasts the role of government in innovation, finding that while governments can sometimes foster innovation, they often hinder it through excessive regulation and a lack of understanding of the process. Throughout the book, Ridley highlights examples of both successful and failed innovations, illustrating the unpredictability and complexity of the innovation process.