Looks at the history of the complex Gross Domestic Product statistic, from its precursors to its use today, giving insight into what it measures, how it has changed, and what its strengths and weaknesses are.

From the 18th century to the 1930s: war and depression -- 1945 to 1975: the golden age -- The legacy of the 1970s: a crisis of capitalism -- 1995 to 2005: the new paradigm -- Our times: the Great Crash -- The future: 21st century GDP.