Apperion has created some graphs to display how innovation and inventions can impact us globally saving billions of lives.
To say that we're living in the best of times would be correct if you look at life expectancy globally. In the late 1900's Africa and the former USSR declined sharply in life expectancy but they and every where else has seen an increase with Africa seeing the steepest increase.
Source:
http://www.visualcapitalist.com/50-important-life-saving-breakthroughs-history/
