ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the historical impact of energy on economic development in quite general terms.
After showing the strong correlation around the world between energy consumption and economic production, it provides some insights into the historical importance of energy as a factor of development: coal was the “engine” of the Industrial Revolution and numerous work/energy substitutions took place when relevant technologies emerged. The low cost of energy has led to a significant decrease in the cost of transport, allowing for the development of trade of goods and the mobility of people.
