In 1976, Jack Bogle set out to create something different in the realm of investing, a fund with incredibly low operating costs but no active management, Vanguard. At first, investors were skeptical, convinced that the lack of active management would doom the fund. However, as time went on, Bogle's fund did not collapse but instead outperformed many actively-managed funds. Forty-five years later, Bogle's creation, the index fund, has become a behemoth in the investment industry; one projected to encompass over half of all U.S. investments by 2024. It has been a trend that many proponents of the index fund have touted, arguing that its lower cost and time commitment make it the perfect investment. Critics however, have countered by pointing out the lack of enthusiasm for index funds among the rich and the various individual advantages that other options such as bonds and mutual funds have over the index fund. As a result, it has led to one big question: Are index funds worth the investment?