Why are primary alcohols important?

Humanity has always sought release thru drink, and these days the manufacture of beers, wines, and spirits, is a very big deal, and a huge multinational industry. The effects of alcohol abuse is a real societal problem, nevertheless, the effects of prohibition in certain times, in certain areas, had appalling results. Taxes and duties levied on alcohol for consumption are now an important source of government income. Does it pay for the treatment of alcohol abuse? I don't know.

Now of course, ethyl alcohol, produced by fermentation from grains and fruits, has this application, but primary alcohols are an important industrial solvent. Industrial methylated spirit (which is ethyl alcohol with a bit of methanol added to it so you can't drink it), is a very common solvent used in industry. Methyl and ethyl alcohol are also used as biofuels, and fuel additives.

Isopropyl alcohol is another alcohol that is used by industry as a solvent, and a chemical feedstock. Isopropyl alcohol is a less polar solvent than ethyl and methyl alcohols (why?), and has many industrial applications.