Candles

Candle making was developed independently in many countries throughout history. The earliest known candles were made from whale fat by the Chinese, during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). In early China and Japan, tapers were made with wax from insects and seeds wrapped in paper. In India, wax from boiling cinnamon was used for temple candles. During the 1st century AD, indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest fused oil from eulachon or "candlefish", for illumination. In Europe, the Middle-East and Africa, where lamp oil made from olives was readily available, candle making remained unknown until the early middle ages due to the availability of olive oil for burning lamps.

The Anglo-Saxon King Alfred the Great (c.849-899) used graduated candles, also known as candle clocks. He used these candles to divide up the day into equal periods of study, and prayer, royal duties and rest. There were lines around the sides of the candles to show the passing of each hour, later 24-hour candles were invented based on this concept.

The first American colonist discovered that bayberries could be used to make candles, but the yield was poor. Fifteen pounds of boiled bayberries would provide only one pound of wax. Joseph Sampson was granted a United States patent for a new method of candle making in 1790, this was the second patent ever granted by the US.

Despite the advance of candle making, the candle industry was devastated soon after by the distillation of kerosene (a fuel used in lamps) and the 1879 invention of the light bulb. At this point, (20th century) candles became more of a decorative item. Candles were suddenly available in a broad array of sizes, shapes and colors, and consumer interest in scented candles began to escalate. During the 1990s, new types of candle wax was being developed, due to an unusually high demand for candles.

I can never look at a candle without thinking of our pioneer family's. They made their candles mostly of bees wax and animal fat. They lit their homes with these candles and light from the fire place. It must of been very difficult for them to read or do homework from such poor lighting, and mom had to do the mending at the end of the day, after working all day. The need for fire and light is as old as man himself.

The use of candles has always been popular, from a necessity to enjoyment.
Here are just a few ways people do enjoy the use of candles==On birthday cakes==decoration==for their scent==when reading=bath time==weddings==in restaurants==dinner for two==get rid of bugs==memorials==outdoor night parties==telling scary stories==swimming pools and caroling. Candles are fun and always will be, and I am sure you find good use for them especially when our electricity goes out.