The History of Inflation Inflation is an increased rate in prices for food, utilities, fuel (automotive), energy, shelter, and other goods and services.
After joining World War I, the US Government created the consumer price index (CPI) in 1917
The causes of inflation during those times were the rising costs of WWI, followed by the influenza pandemic in 1918.
From October 2020 to the end of September 2021, the unadjusted CPI for all goods and services reached 5.4 percent.
Food was at its highest percentage rate since December 2011, with an increase of 0.9 percent from August to September 2021.