It's fair to say that many of us take aspects of 21st-century life for granted – our phones, our computers, our TVs... even a cup of tea! But for many people in decades and centuries past, the products and services we enjoy today were once a luxury only the wealthiest members of society could afford.

Read on to discover the everyday items that were once available only to the rich and find out when they became affordable for everyone else.

All dollar amounts in US dollars.