It isn’t exactly clear where and when wicked candles got there start. However the evolution of the candle from its crude beginnings to today’s more sophisticated products is a fascinating trail. Take a few minutes to read about some of the journeys that candles have made.
Early Candles
So far the earliest wicked candles seem to be credited to the Egyptians around the 4th century BC. Some historians however credit the ancient Romans with developing a wicked candle prior to that time by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow and beeswax. These early versions of the candle were used for religious celebrations and to light their homes. Early Chinese and Japanese cultures are credited with making wicked candles from using available plants and insects. The Chinese candles are said to have been poured into paper tubes, using rolled rice paper for a wick. Japanese culture used wax made from tree nuts, while over in India they were boiling the fruit from cinnamon trees to make their wax. The Jewish Festival of Lights dates back to 165BC and used purified oil to light up the temple. There are many biblical references to candles. Candles have been used in various forms in churches for both light and ceremonial importance.
Middle Ages
Tallow (animal fat) was the primary source for candles in most early western cultures. Beeswax candles were introduced in the Middle Ages, however because of the cost; they were mainly used by the wealthy. The beeswax burned much cleaner and smelled so much better than the tallow candles. Europeans mainly used candles made from tallow and the 13th century brought about candle making as a guild craft in England and France. Candlers would go from house to house making candles from fats that were saved from cooking, or else they made their own candles in a shop and sold them.
Colonial Times
Bayberry candles were a product of colonial American women. They discovered that by boiling the berries from the bushes, they were able to produce a sweet smelling wax that burned cleaner. It was very difficult and time consuming to extract the wax, so the popularity of the bayberry candle was short lived. The next big improvement to the candle came with the growth of the whaling industry in the 18th century. Candles that smelled better, burned brighter and were harder came from Spermaceti- the wax produced from crystallizing sperm whale oil. This was a breakthrough allowing candles not to soften and bend in the summer heat.
The 19th Century
Moving into the 19th century brought about major changes in candles. Around 1820 French chemist Michael Chevreul and Joseph Lussac patented a process of making candles from crude stearic. This produced a clean burning hard durable candle that is still popular in Europe today. Joseph Morgan was responsible for inventing a machine that allowed for the continuous production of molded candles, thus making the candle a very affordable product for everyone. Braided wicks were also introduced in the 19th century. These wicks allowed for better and more complete burning of a candle. The previous wicks were usually just twisted strands of cotton, which needed constant attention. Paraffin wax was introduced in the middle of the 19th century in Battersea, UK. This wax is an oil distillate that burns bright and without an odor. When adding steric acid to the paraffin it made the candles harder and overcame the problem of the low melting point of the paraffin. The popularity of the candle began to diminish after the introduction of the light bulb in 1879.
Modern Day Candles
Today candles popularity is on the rise. With all the new shapes, sizes, colors and fragrances available in several different types of wax, (paraffin, vegetable, beeswax, gel and soy) candles are being used for decorating, celebrations, setting a romantic mood, soothing the senses, and a myriad of other uses.
Summary
Candles have come a long way and seem to be a part of everyday life, today and as far back in time as we can determine. The resurgence of “candle power” is here. They add so much beauty and enjoyment to life.
