Tyler Brooks
Before the 1800s, candles were primarily made from animal-based tallow and beeswax in Europe. Beeswax candles were expensive and were usually found in churches and wealthy homes. In the 1800s, candles were still the primary source of artificial lighting for most people, although oil lamps were becoming more popular. Candles were made from various materials, including tallow, beeswax, and spermaceti (a wax derived from sperm whale oil). The growth of the whaling industry in the 18th century made spermaceti widely used for candle-making, as it was cheaper than beeswax, harder, and produced a brighter light. Candles were also made from purified animal fats (stearin) and paraffin wax. The manufacture of candles became an industrialized mass market in the mid-19th century, with the invention of machines that could produce molded candles. This made candles more affordable for poorer people. However, lighting fires and candles while travelling was challenging, and people often relied on keeping small fires or bringing sticks to neighbours to light their fires.
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What You'll Learn
Candles were mass-produced in the 1800s
The mass production of candles began in the 19th century. Before that, candles were made from fats saved from the kitchen or bought from chandlers (candle makers). In Europe, various techniques were used to make candles, such as dipping or drawing a wick in molten wax or tallow, shaping it by hand, or pouring wax or tallow over the wick.
In the 1820s, French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids, leading to the development of stearin wax, which was hard, durable, and burned cleanly. This discovery was significant in the history of candlemaking, but it was the introduction of mechanized production that truly revolutionized the candle industry and made candles affordable for the masses.
In 1834, inventor Joseph Morgan developed a machine that allowed for the continuous production of molded candles using a cylinder with a movable piston to eject candles as they solidified. This machine could produce about 1,500 candles per hour, a significant increase in productivity compared to traditional methods. With mechanized production, candles became easily affordable for the general public.
The growth of the whaling industry in the 18th century also contributed to the mass production of candles. Spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil, became available in large quantities and was used to make the first ""standard candles." These candles burned cleanly, produced a bright light, and were harder than tallow or beeswax, making them ideal for use in the summer heat.
By the mid-19th century, candles were the primary source of artificial lighting for most people, but they began to face competition from oil lamps and gas lamps. Eventually, with the introduction of electric lighting, candle-making declined, and other sources of lighting became more prevalent. However, candles continued to be used and even regained popularity in the first half of the 20th century, finding new purposes as decorative items, mood-setters, and gifts.
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Spermaceti candles were popular in the 1800s
Before the invention of matchsticks, lighting candles could be a cumbersome task. The basic technique involved using flint and steel to strike sparks and light tinder. Char cloth or dried tinder was also used along with flint and steel to make starting a fire easier. People would also try to keep a small fire going for as long as possible, transferring the flame to lamps or candles as needed.
In the 1800s, candles were the primary source of artificial lighting for most people, with oil lamps gradually gaining popularity in the latter half of the century. Spermaceti candles, made from the wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil, were particularly popular during this time. Spermaceti candles were an improvement over tallow or beeswax candles, which were the common household candles before the growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century.
Spermaceti candles produced a bright, steady flame with minimal smoke and no repugnant odour. They were also harder than tallow or beeswax, making them more durable in warm temperatures. These qualities made spermaceti candles a popular choice in homes, churches, and public spaces, as well as in lighthouses to improve visibility for ships at sea.
The decline of spermaceti candles began in the mid-19th century with the increasing popularity of kerosene lamps and gas lighting. Additionally, the whaling industry faced scrutiny due to ethical and environmental concerns, and conservation measures further limited the availability of spermaceti. Despite the decline of spermaceti candles, candles in general remained popular well into the 20th century, with new types of candle waxes being developed in the 1990s.
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Cheaper alternatives to beeswax candles were sought
Candles were a necessity in the 1800s, as there was no electric lighting until a few decades later at the dawn of the 20th century. However, candles, particularly those made from beeswax, were expensive, and few were lit at one time. The average wealthy household in the 18th century possessed only about five candlesticks, while poorer households were lucky to have more than one.
As such, cheaper alternatives to beeswax candles were sought. With the growth of the whaling industry in the 18th century, spermaceti, an oil from sperm whales, became a widely used substance for candle-making. The wax was made by crystallizing the oil, and it did not create a repugnant odour when burned, producing a significantly brighter light than beeswax. Spermaceti was also harder than beeswax, so it would not soften or bend in the summer heat.
By 1800, an even cheaper alternative was discovered in the form of vegetable oils. Colza oil, derived from Brassica campestris, and a similar oil derived from rapeseed, yielded candles that produced clear, smokeless flames. These candles were made from purified animal fats, also known as stearin, which was patented in 1825 by French chemists Michel Eugène Chevreul and Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac. In 1834, candle-making was revolutionized by Joseph Morgan, a pewterer from Manchester, England, who patented a machine that allowed for continuous production. This machine produced about 1,500 candles per hour, making candles more affordable and accessible to the masses.
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Stearin candles were developed in the 1820s
In the early 1800s, French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids, leading to the development of stearin wax. This discovery was patented in 1825 by Chevreul and his colleague Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac.
Stearin, also known as purified animal fat, is a hard and durable wax with a melting range of 54–72.5 °C (129.2–162.5 °F). It was an important development in candlemaking as it burned cleanly and had a convenient melting range, making it ideal for candle production. Stearin candles were manufactured and sold by companies like Price's Patent Candle Company, one of the world's leading candle-making companies at the time.
The process of creating stearin candles involved cold-pressing tallow to remove the olein. The remaining solid material, stearin, was then made into candles. Chemists also introduced the saponification process, which allowed for the separation of saturated fatty acids from the liquid portion of fats, further improving the quality of stearin candles.
The introduction of stearin solved the issue of low melting points in early coal- and petroleum-derived paraffin waxes. Stearin candles became popular and remained in use well into the 20th century, especially in Europe. They were more affordable than beeswax candles, which were considered the highest grade of candle due to their clean burn and pleasant odour.
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Lighting candles before matchsticks were invented
Before the invention of matchsticks, candles were lit using a variety of methods. One common technique was to use a tinderbox, which contained flint, a striker, and fibrous tinder material such as hemp. By striking the flint against the striker, sparks would be created, igniting the tinder and producing a flame. This method was used widely before the invention of matches and was an essential tool for starting fires and lighting candles.
Another approach was to use "spills" or "tapers", which were sticks, slivers of wood, or twisted paper. These were lit from an existing fire or hearth and then used to transfer the flame to a candle or oil lamp. Spill holders, usually hung by the hearth, were containers for these sticks, ensuring that the fire could be safely and conveniently accessed. Keeping a small fire burning throughout the day was a common practice, as it served as the primary source of light and heat.
In addition to these methods, fire pots, ember bundles, and lanterns were also used for illumination. However, these required more effort to maintain and were less portable. For travellers, ending the day near inhabited areas was a preferred option, as it provided access to fire from the locals.
The 1800s marked a significant transition in lighting sources, with the candle being the primary artificial light source for most until the mid-19th century. During this time, the gradual increase in the use of oil lamps began, offering an alternative to candles. However, even with the advancements of the time, the available lighting options often created only pockets of brightness, leaving most rooms partially illuminated.
Candles themselves also underwent changes during this period, with the introduction of spermaceti wax in the late 18th century. Derived from sperm whale oil, this wax produced a brighter light, had a more pleasant odour, and was harder than tallow or beeswax. These qualities made it ideal for candle-making, and spermaceti wax became the standard for candles in the years that followed.
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Frequently asked questions
Lighting candles while travelling was a challenge. You'd keep a small fire going for as long as possible, transferring the flame to your candle from your cooking fire or a neighbour's fire. If nothing was on fire, flint and steel could be used to strike sparks, or a stick could be spun to create friction and light tinder.
In the 1800s, candles were made from tallow, beeswax, spermaceti, and stearin. Tallow candles were made from animal fat and were used by poorer families. Spermaceti, made from crystallised sperm whale oil, was a popular alternative to tallow and beeswax because it was harder and didn't soften or bend in the summer heat. It also burned brighter and didn't produce a repugnant odour. Stearin, a purified animal fat, was another option that burned cleanly.
In the 1830s, the candle-making process became industrialised, allowing for mass production and making candles more affordable for poorer people. This was thanks to Joseph Morgan, who invented a machine that revolutionised candle-making.
