Quote:
Originally Posted by oil pan 4
Glass and cement were so expensive they were reserved for public works, infrastructure or the rich.
Steel was so difficult to make with out coal that it was reserved for weapons.
Glass remained a luxury until people started using coal and a few other advances. Coal made it good natural gas made it what it is today.
Steel was more valuable than gold by weigh until the start of the industrial revolution. One of the best examples I am aware of is when Alexander the great won one of his major battles he was rewarded with not silver or gold, but 30lb of steel.
Cement was difficult to produce with out natural gas. Wood was burned to dehydrate lime and volcanic ash was carried by animal cart to where it was needed.
Basically it sucked and we are better off now.
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I would just add that,us being better off may cost us our planet.