Derek Thompson looks back at how poor we were in 1776. We are, by comparison, unfathomably rich. George Washington spent $15k/year in today’s dollars on candles to keep the lights on. Heat was so expensive Jefferson couldn’t write in winter because his ink would freeze.
I agree with the overall point and I could believe the Washington statistic. But it rarely freezes outdoors in Monticello, and he could have just moved his desk closer to the fireplace.
I agree with the overall point and I could believe the Washington statistic. But it rarely freezes outdoors in Monticello, and he could have just moved his desk closer to the fireplace.