I couldn't find the data right now, but if i'm not mistaken, long term there was deflation, not inflation (though there were fluctuation due to wars and influx

I couldn't find the data right now, but if i'm not mistaken, long term there was deflation, not inflation (though there were fluctuation due to wars and influx of precious metals from New World). E.g. compare 1800 with 1900 with the help of CPI: http://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/ppowerus/ http://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/ppowerus/