Industrial Revolution

By the 18th Century, our increasingly populous societies were beginning to run up against the limits of agriculture.

Then we found coal that we could dig up and burn in almost unlimited quantities which contains the solar energy captured over millions of years by fossilised forests. Oil and natural gas proved even more valuable.  

Not only were fossil fuels abundant. They also provided ever greater sources of power, liberating us from our dependence on animals for farming and transportation.

Since the Industrial Revolution we have grown taller and healthier, our life expectancy has increased vastly, and in the developed world we are on average 30 to 40 times better off.