Could most people contribute to (solving) big important problems before globalization or automation?
It depends how far back we're talking about, but sure.
Before the industrial revolution, most people made food. That's important.
After the industrial revolution, but before ww2,the standard of living was low, so most manufactured goods we're pretty important - be it a car, a fridge, a pot, etc - but maybe less important than food.
Afterwards, came consumerism, with a lot of low value stuff.
So it seems that with time, many people do less significant things at work.
That's true.
But also, can most people really, truly, contribute to big, important problems in our society - in the context of globalization and automation ?