MoonBeam Landing - History of Candles

History of Candles

Since 5000 B.C., candles have been used as a light source with the Egyptians being the first civilization to use them. These candles were made by dipping rolled papyrus into beeswax or melted tallow. Though beeswax produced the brightest light, the scent it produced was unpleasant to say the least. Tallow wasn't much better either scent wise. In the European Middle Ages, a new candle was introduced - rush light. These candles were made by dipping rushes in animal fat. These candles were the simplest type to make, but they smelled horrible and did not last long, however, these candles were quick to manufacture. Asia came up with a candle type also, that consisted of paper tubes dipped in insect or tree oil. However, it wasn't until Western settlers discovered bayberry that candles began to smell pleasantly. Spermacceti (whale oil found in large abundance in sperm whales) was introduced later making the light produced by these candle bright and long lasting. The scent was better than its predecessors, but with the decline in whaling, paraffin became the cheapest and best materials for candle making.

Up until 1879, candles were the main light sources for homes. With the expansion of patented candle making machines, in the early 19th century, candles were too expensive for the poor. Candle machines could only make tallow and spermaceti candles which made these candles the most expensive available. Beeswax was dipped until the 20th century (though many are still dipped today). With the creation of paraffin, a new light source could be made to equal the brightness and hardness exhibited by beeswax and spermacceti. Since paraffin was inexpensive to make, more people could afford candles in their homes. People were able to buy the materials and make numerous candles themselves. Candle making became so popular in England that in 1709 a prohibition was made against private candle making. Thankfully it was repealed in 1831.

Another advance in candle making was the creation of the self-trimming wick in 1825. This led to the frequency of using chandeliers for lighting homes between 1879 through 1897. Up until then, wicks had to be watched carefully and trimmed before and after each use. The self-trimming wick only had to be trimmed as needed, allowing it to burn in out-of-reach places. Sadly, in 1879 candles were replaced as the main light source by the incandescent light bulb.

Today there are numerous types of waxes used for candle production. Soy, paraffin, and beeswax are just some of the types of materials used today. Thankfully, today most candles smell very pleasantly, no matter the material used to make the candles. Over 1,000,000,000 pounds of wax are used in the United States to make candles each year. Though candles are not used as a primary light source, they are used for decorative, mood enhancing, religious and emergency purposes. It is amazing to see how popular candles still are to this day.

"A Brief History of Candles" NASA-Glenn Research Center Microgravity Combustion Science - A History of Candles. April 2005. NASA-Glenn Research Center Microgravity Combustion Science. 25 JAN 2007 http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/combustion/web/candle_history.htm

Heart, Liz. "History of Candles" Newsfinder. 12 MAR 2007. Newsfinder. 25 JAN 2007. http://www.newsfinder.org/site/more/history_of_candles/

Lugo, Benito. "History of Candles" History of Candles-Candlemaking. 2007. Bella Online. 25 JAN 2007. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3531.asp

Taylor, Jonathan. "Lighting In The Victorian Home" Lighting in the Victorian Home by Jonathan Taylor. 2000. www.buildingconservation.com. 20 JAN 2007. http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/lighting/lighting.htm

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