Abstract

The Role of Energy: Mainspring of Civilization

What makes the difference between a primitive society living at a survival level and a rich, highly industrialized nation? Many things. National resources, such as water, good agricultural land, and minerals, are important. So are large economic units without trade barriers, and political security and peace. Perhaps more important are education, science and technology, and human initiative and team work among people working on a common project. However the obvious material requirement for a high standard of living is cheap abundant energy. In modern times engines run by coal, gas, or water power multiply enormously the energy available. The big advance started with the machine age. Abundant and cheap mechanical power made possible the increase in population and higher standards of living of the nineteenth century. Today the United States supports 160,000,000 people in comfort.