Why did people use asbestos if it was so dangerous?

Asbestos was one of the world’s most valuable resources for thousands of years. Praised for its versatility, strength, and durability, asbestos was used in many products such as lamp wicks, insulation and clothing. Only in the 20th century, as medical technology became more sophisticated, did doctors finally understand the affect it had on the human body. The great tragedy was that millions of people were exposed to thousands of deadly products, and a great deal of damage was already done by the time use was regulated in the 1970s.