Here is an article that might shed some light for you on the subject. There are lots of similar ones that explain that some of the greatest growth periods in history did not have inflation, and in fact prices fell as technology caused greater manufacturing efficiencies.

For an economy that is progressing a slight deflation is the normal. As we produce things more efficiently, they get cheaper. It is only in todays world of banking and government seigniorage that we are taught "inflation is good". The reason they teach inflation is good, is it is good for government deficit spending and good for the banking system that gets to create the inflation.

Inflation is not good for the general population. It is good for those closest to the creation of the inflation, and those that understand how it works and can take advantage of it. For the most part, it works pretty well for farmers because they tend to be asset heavy in their net worth.

John

Bonus article: A deflationist has turned his forcast to inflation