Pareto's Distribution in 1897
Vilfredo Pareto announced his findings in 1897: his famous 20/80 rule. About 20% of the population in every European nation he studied owned 80% of the wealth.
This is a power law. The same pyramid of wealth continues up the pyramid. About 4% (.2 x 20%) own 64% (.8 x 80%) of the wealth. About .8% (.2 x 4%) own 51% (.8 x 64%) of the wealth.