The history of candles goes way back. When looking at world history it has been reasonably recent that candles haven't been needed for light. The primitive candle that resembles contemporary candles was invented nearly 5,000 years ago! Read on to learn more about the rich history of candle making.
Let's start by breaking down the history of candle making into two time blocks. Block one is pre-electricity. Block two is post- electricity.
Electricity ends up being the time divider for the history of candles because electricity truly changed the point of burning a candle. The purpose of burning candles before electricity was to give light. The purpose was strictly utilitarian. Once electricity was conducted a candle's function was unessential. And so, candles were more for fun, than for necessity.
So let's take a look closer at the pre-electric era. Thousands of years had passed with wax candles being used to light peoples' way. And these practical candles were no picnic! These candles were made from wax that was extracted from animal fats. These archaic candles burned black, smelly smoke all through the dark ages.
Moving down the timeline, but still in pre-electric times, the Colonial Americans began using bees wax for candle making. Purer burning than the animal fat candles, bees wax was, but it still was difficult to mold and work with. The ideal wax would be both smokeless and odorless and easy to work with.
This time period was leading up to the discovery of electricity. In 1752 Benjamin Franklin discovered electrical currents. But, it wasn't until Thomas Edison found a medium for electricity conduction (over 100 years later) that the light bulb was invented. With all of these discoveries candles were finally not needed for producing light in homes.
Predictably, and yet quite ironically, the technological advancements of electricity brought on advancements to candles. At the same time as all of these new developments, better wax for making candles was invented. It was called paraffin and this wax is still used today for candle production. Even since that time wax for candle making has continued to improve.
Nowadays, since candles are not a necessity for seeing in the dark, candle making has become a leisure activity. And with candles' new recreational role, they have become a fun pastime, and/or business opportunity for people around the world.
4g Samsung Phone Guide Chainsaw Sharpening Discount
No comments:
Post a Comment