Through the long sweep of history essentially each generation has handed off to their children. I commend others who have commented here to this effect because it tells me that some people do have an appreciation for history. Until very recently in the history of human civilization, people have depended on their children for income and care in their older years - if they became older. Children were expected to care for their parents and perhaps grandparents and extended family, often by taking over the heavy work of farming. To enable their children they have therefore helped their children and bequeathed to their children, and grandchildren. There has always been an intergenerational dependence. It is an important feature characteristic of  humanity. Part of what has passed from one generation to another is knowledge and culture. People may be mortal, but culture is immortal. I take a lot of pride in having educated my, now adult children, and in continuing to help, as I would others.