I think it was Milton Friendman who pointed out that other than transportation, communication and medicine the increasing standard of living had almost exclusively benefitted those who weren't rich -- and had benefitted those who were in the bottom of that society the most.

You don't need indoor plumbing once you have servants; You don't need read-to-eat dinners when you have cooks and you don't need a dish-washer or vacuum-cleaner when you have maids.

This even goes to entertainment. When you can afford to hire a musician you don't need a music player.