Jessie Taylor
Before the invention of self-igniting matches in the 1800s, candles were lit using a variety of methods. One common method was to use a tinderbox, which involved creating a spark with a flint stone and steel needle, allowing the spark to fall into a box containing burned cotton cloth, and then blowing gently on the glowing cloth to produce a flame. Another method was to use a small wax taper or spill (a strip of rolled-up paper or wood) lit from an existing fire or ember. In addition, people often kept a fire burning at all times, even at night, when it would be banked to keep the coals hot, so that a candle could be easily lit from the embers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fire | A small fire or a baby flame was kept burning perpetually in the hearth, which was central to the concept of "home" in antiquity. |
| Ember | An ember was kept in the fireplace or in a special container. |
| Tinderbox | A spark was ignited with a flint stone and steel needle, allowing the spark to fall into a tinder box with burning cotton cloth. Blowing on the glowing cloth produced a flame that could be used to light candles. |
| Strips of paper or wood | Strips of paper or wood, also known as "spills," were used to light candles. |
| Wax tapers | Wax tapers were used to light candles and were recommended by Robert Roberts in his 1827 House Servant's Directory. |
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What You'll Learn
Using a tinderbox with flint and steel
Before the invention of matches, one common method of lighting candles was through the use of a tinderbox with flint and steel. This technique was especially useful when there was no access to an existing fire or ember.
A tinderbox typically contained flint, steel, and some form of tinder or flammable material like cotton cloth or paper. To ignite a candle, one would use the flint to strike the steel needle, creating sparks that would then fall onto the tinder. By gently blowing on the glowing cloth, a flame could be produced, which could then be used to light the candle.
While this method was effective, it was not without its challenges. Creating a spark with flint and steel requires practice and skill, and even then, it can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. Additionally, maintaining a consistent flame or ember was crucial, as starting a fire from scratch was a laborious task.
To overcome these challenges, some households kept a small fire or ember constantly burning, which could be easily rekindled by adding tinder and gently blowing on it. This provided a readily available source of flame to light candles or for other purposes.
In addition to the tinderbox method, other techniques for lighting candles before matches included using wax tapers, strips of paper, or wood to directly light the candle. These methods, however, often resulted in messiness and an uneven burn of the candle.
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Keeping a small fire or coals burning
Before the invention of matches, it was common to keep a small fire or coals perpetually burning in the hearth of a home. This served as a consistent source of fire from which candles could be lit. Here are some ways in which a small fire or coals could be kept burning:
Firstly, it was important to ensure a constant supply of fuel for the fire. This could be in the form of wood, kindling, or coal, which would be added to the fire as needed to keep it burning.
Secondly, proper ventilation was crucial. Adjusting the damper or flue in a chimney could control the airflow and help maintain a consistent flame.
Thirdly, banking the fire at night was a common practice. This involved covering the coals with ashes to slow down their burning, preserving them for the next morning. In the morning, removing the ashes and gently blowing on the coals would revive the fire.
Additionally, using a special container to hold hot embers could keep a small fire or coals burning. These containers could be placed near the fireplace or even in a different part of the house, providing a portable source of fire.
Lastly, keeping a candle burning alongside the fire was also a way to easily relight the fire if it went out. This candle could be lit using the fire or coals, and then the candle flame could be used to restart the fire if needed.
In summary, keeping a small fire or coals burning required a consistent fuel supply, proper ventilation, and proactive measures such as banking the fire at night and using containers for hot embers. These practices ensured a constant source of fire for lighting candles and other purposes.
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Borrowing a flame from a neighbour
In the days before self-igniting matches were invented in the 1800s, people would often keep a fire burning perpetually in the home, as it was difficult to light one from scratch. This was especially true for the urban poor in the Roman world, for whom a communal hearth served as a central place for cooking and provided a consistent source of fire.
If one's hearth went out, it was considered a serious problem. While it was possible to restart a fire using flints or tinder, this was a challenging and laborious process. The easiest solution was to borrow a flame from one's neighbour.
To light a candle from a flame source, such as a neighbour's hearth, one would use a taper—a strip of paper, wood, or wax rolled up or twisted, known as a "spill". These were often placed in vases on the mantel to provide easy access to the fire, and could be lit from the neighbour's flame and transported back to one's own home to light a candle.
Thus, borrowing a flame from a neighbour was an important social practice that ensured a consistent source of fire and light, and it was likely a common occurrence in ancient and medieval communities.
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Lighting a scrap of paper or wood
Before the invention of matches, people used various methods to light candles. One common method was to use a tinderbox, which involved creating a spark with a flint stone and steel needle, allowing the spark to fall into a tinder box containing burnt cotton cloth. Blowing gently on the glowing cloth produced a flame that could then be used to light a candle. Another method was to use a small wax taper, also known as a "spill," which was a strip of paper or wood rolled up to light a lamp or candle. These spills were often placed in vases on the mantelpiece, providing easy access to a fire source. People also used other existing flames, such as from a hearth or a lamp, to light candles.
- Prepare the scrap of paper or wood: Before the invention of matches, people would have kept scraps of paper or thin strips of wood readily available for lighting purposes. The paper could be folded, rolled, or twisted to aid in combustion and create a small, concentrated flame.
- Create an initial flame source: This could be done using a tinderbox, which involved creating a spark by striking a flint stone with a steel needle and catching the spark on burnt cotton cloth. Alternatively, one could use an existing flame source, such as a hearth, a pilot light, or a lamp.
- Light the scrap of paper or wood: Hold the prepared scrap of paper or wood close to the initial flame source and gently blow on it to encourage combustion. The paper or wood should catch fire, creating a small, controlled flame.
- Light the candle: Carefully bring the lit scrap of paper or wood close to the candle wick and allow the flame to transfer to the wick. Be cautious to avoid burning yourself or any surrounding objects.
- Extinguish the scrap: Once the candle is lit, gently blow out the flame on the scrap of paper or wood to extinguish it. Alternatively, you could allow it to burn out naturally, but this may create a fire hazard if not carefully monitored.
Using a scrap of paper or wood to light a candle required careful handling and attention to fire safety. While this method was commonly used before the invention of matches, it is important to note that it could be more challenging and time-consuming compared to the convenience and ease of modern matches or lighters.
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Using a lamp or another candle
Before the invention of matches, candles were often lit using lamps or other candles. This was a simple and practical method, especially when a flame was already available.
Lamps, typically fuelled by oil, were a common light source in antiquity, predating lanterns in the Mediterranean world. They could be easily used to light a candle, and their fuel allowed them to burn for much longer than a candle.
Similarly, using one candle to light another was a straightforward method. However, candles were relatively uncommon in antiquity, so this method may not have been as widely used as lamp lighting.
In addition, small fires or embers could be kept burning in a special container, providing a readily available flame for lighting candles. This was a more convenient alternative to building a fire from scratch, which was a difficult process even with a flint and striker.
To light a candle from a lamp or another candle, a strip of paper, a wax taper, or a "spill" could be used. A spill, defined in an 1855 British dictionary, is "a strip of paper rolled up to light a lamp or cigar". The term "spill" was not in use until the 19th century, but the practice of using paper to light candles was likely employed before then. Wax tapers were also commonly used, as they did not leave behind dirt or residue like paper did.
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Frequently asked questions
Before the invention of self-igniting matches in the 1800s, candles were often lit using a small flame from a hearth or fire.
In this case, tinderboxes were used to ignite a spark with a flint stone and steel needle, letting the spark fall on burned cotton cloth or tinder. Blowing on the glowing cloth would produce a flame that could be used to light a candle.
Yes, "spills" were commonly used to light candles. A spill is a strip of rolled-up paper or wood that could be used to light a candle or lamp.
No, candles were relatively uncommon in antiquity. Lamps fuelled by oil were a more popular light source as they could burn for longer than a candle.
