The history of light (classic)

Planet Money explores how the history of light explains economic growth and human progress. The episode draws on Nobel-winning economist Bill Nordhaus's work showing that for thousands of years, producing light was an enormous hassle requiring raising and slaughtering cows for tallow candles. Today, flipping a switch provides as much light as we want at trivial cost. This transformation reveals why modern economies can support artists, massage therapists, and podcasters instead of requiring everyone to be subsistence farmers — a demonstration that the economic pie can grow in ways that benefit everyone.