Put on Your Thinking Cap

[Bikewer]

Years ago, (I'm old, remember) I read a short story involving a plot by the naughty aliens to ruin Earth's economy by giving them a simple-to-build replicator that could be made in any size and could replicate anything.

They figure this technology will bring Earth's manufacturing and business sectors to their knees, and the place will be ripe for invasion.

Instead, the clever humans turn the thing to their advantage, and everything is booming when the aliens return, much to their disgust.

Can't remember title, author....

[j. d. worthington]

Moving to Book Search, where (it is to be hoped) you'll be more likely to find an answer....