Ben Carter
The history of candles is a testament to human ingenuity, spanning thousands of years of innovation and craftsmanship. The use of candles dates back to ancient civilizations, with early humans discovering the illuminating properties of fire. One of the earliest known forms of candles was the simple torch, a bundle of sticks or reeds dipped in animal fat or tallow, providing a rudimentary source of light. Over time, various materials and techniques were used to make candles, with innovations such as the use of moulds, wicks, and different types of wax improving their quality and performance. From crude torches to the sophisticated wax creations of today, the evolution of candles reflects the progress of civilization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest use of candles | Ancient Egyptians |
| How were they made | By soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat |
| Were they similar to modern candles | No wick, hence not similar to modern candles |
| Who made the first wicked candles | Ancient Romans |
| How were they made | Rolled papyrus was repeatedly dipped in melted tallow or beeswax |
| Other early civilisations that used candles | Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Alaskan and Canadian tribes |
| How were they made | Chinese candles were made by using rolled rice paper for the wick and wax from an indigenous insect that was combined with seeds. Japanese candles were made of wax extracted from tree nuts. Indian candles were made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree. Alaskan and Canadian tribes used the oily eulachon fish as candles. |
| Common household candle for Europeans | Tallow candles |
| Candlemaking as a guild craft | 13th century in England and France |
| Candlemakers | Chandlers |
| Colonial women's contribution to candlemaking | Boiling the grayish-green berries of bayberry bushes to produce a sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly |
| First major change in candlemaking | Growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century which made spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil, available in quantity |
| First oil refinery | Established by James Young in 1848 at the Alfreton Ironworks in Riddings, Derbyshire |
| Paraffin wax | Introduced in the 1850s after chemists learned how to separate the naturally-occurring waxy substance from petroleum and refine it |
| Stearin | Discovered by French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul in the 1820s. It is made by extracting stearic acid from animal fatty acids |
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What You'll Learn
The evolution of candle wax
The earliest known forms of candles were primitive torches, with bundles of sticks or reeds dipped in animal fat or tallow, providing a basic source of light. The Ancient Egyptians are credited with creating rushlights, using the dried pith or core of the rush plant soaked in animal fat, around 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. These early candles lacked wicks, an essential component of the candles we know today.
The Ancient Romans revolutionised candle-making by introducing wicked candles. They achieved this by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly into melted tallow, creating longer-lasting and better-quality candles. Romans also used beeswax, a significant improvement over animal-based tallow due to its clean and smokeless burn, as well as its pleasant smell.
During the Middle Ages, candle-making became a crucial trade, with beeswax candles highly prized for their clean, bright flames in churches and monasteries. Meanwhile, tallow candles, made from animal fats, remained the common household candle for Europeans due to their affordability.
In the 18th century, the growth of the whaling industry brought about another significant change in candle wax. Spermaceti, derived from sperm whales, became readily available. Spermaceti candles were harder and less susceptible to warmer weather, burned brightly, and lacked the unpleasant odour associated with tallow.
The introduction of mechanised production in the 19th century marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of candle wax. Inventors like Joseph Morgan developed machines for the continuous production of moulded candles, making candles affordable and accessible to the masses. This era also witnessed the emergence of paraffin wax, derived from petroleum, and stearin, a purified animal fat. These innovations in candle wax led to the creation of inexpensive, high-quality candles that burned cleanly and left no unpleasant odours.
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The use of wicks
The ancient Egyptians are credited with the earliest use of wicked candles around 3000 BC. They created rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat, and these early wicks were made of plant fibres. The ancient Romans further developed the wicked candle by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly into melted tallow or beeswax. Historians have found that many other early civilizations also used wicks made from available plants and insects. For example, the Chinese used rolled rice paper for wicks, while the ancient Greeks may have used oakum and other plant fibres soaked in fat, pitch, or oil.
The type of wick used in a candle can have a significant impact on its burning characteristics. Important factors include the wick's diameter, stiffness, fire resistance, and tethering. For instance, a larger diameter wick will generally produce a larger flame and cause the candle to burn faster. Wicks are sometimes braided flat so that they curl back into the flame as they burn, making them self-consuming.
Different materials have been used over time to create wicks, including plant fibres, wood, asbestos, and, more recently, braided cotton. Stiffeners can be added to direct the wick to remain upright, allowing it to draw fuel more efficiently. Historically, stiffeners were made of lead, but due to concerns about lead poisoning, they have been banned in the US. Alternative materials such as fine wire (e.g., copper), paper, and synthetic fibres are now used instead.
The development of wicks over time has played a crucial role in the evolution of candles, with various civilizations experimenting with different materials and techniques to improve their lighting sources.
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The role of moulds
Moulds were introduced to candle-making later in its history, with evidence suggesting that the ancient Romans used them to create candles with better shapes and sizes. These moulds played a pivotal role in standardising candle production and making the candles easier to handle and store. However, the large-scale industrial utilisation of moulds came much later, in the 19th century, with the advent of mechanised production.
The introduction of moulds in candle-making brought about several advantages. Firstly, they allowed for the mass production of candles, making them more accessible and affordable for the general public. Secondly, moulds improved the overall quality of candles by ensuring uniformity in size and shape, addressing the inconsistencies that could arise with hand-rolled or hand-dipped candles.
The use of moulds also opened up opportunities for experimentation with different wax types. For instance, the discovery of stearic acid by French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul in the 1820s led to the development of stearin wax, which was hard, durable, and burned cleanly. This new wax type benefited significantly from the use of moulds, as it could now be formed into consistent, standardised candles.
The invention of Joseph Morgan's machine in 1834 further revolutionised the industry, enabling the continuous production of moulded candles. This machine utilised a cylinder with a movable piston to efficiently eject candles as they solidified, streamlining the manufacturing process.
The combination of moulds and mechanised production techniques ushered in a new era of candle-making, marking a shift from the traditional hand-crafted methods of the past. This transformation not only reduced the cost of candles but also contributed to standardising their quality, making them more widely available to the masses.
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Ancient candle-making techniques
Candle-making has been an essential human craft for thousands of years, with various ancient civilisations developing their own candle-making techniques using locally sourced materials.
The Ancient Egyptians are believed to have made some of the earliest candle-like objects, known as rushlights or torches, by soaking the dried pith or core of the rush plant in animal fat or grease. These early candles did not have wicks, but they provided a cheap and rudimentary source of light for homes, temples, and tombs.
The Romans are generally credited with developing the first wicked candles, marking a significant innovation in candle production. They created these candles by wrapping papyrus around a length of twine and dipping it repeatedly into tallow, which is a rendered form of beef or mutton fat. This process resulted in candles that lasted longer and were of better quality than the previous rushlights.
In China, textual evidence suggests that candles may have been made as early as the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE), with possible materials including whale fat, beeswax, and stillingia tallow from the Chinese tallow tree. Chinese candles often featured wicks made from rolled rice paper and wax derived from indigenous insects combined with seeds. Similarly, Japanese candles were made from wax extracted from tree nuts, while Indian candles were crafted by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree.
During the Middle Ages, candle-making became a crucial trade, with beeswax candles gaining popularity in Europe due to their clean, bright flame. These candles were commonly used in churches and monasteries, while tallow candles remained the more affordable option for the general population. The Renaissance era brought further advancements, including the introduction of moulds and wicks made from cotton or hemp, enhancing the quality and performance of candles.
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The industrial revolution's impact
The process of candle-making has evolved significantly over time, and the Industrial Revolution played a pivotal role in transforming the methods and scale of candle production. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, candles were typically made from natural materials such as beeswax or tallow, which is animal fat. This process was often labour-intensive and time-consuming. The Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in candle-making, introducing mechanization and new sources of fuel that revolutionized the industry.
One of the key impacts of the Industrial Revolution on candle-making was the introduction of mechanized production. Candle-making became increasingly streamlined and efficient with the development of machines that could produce candles much faster and on a larger scale than traditional hand-dipped methods. This mechanization not only increased the speed of production but also made the process more consistent, resulting in higher-quality candles. Factories dedicated solely to candle-making emerged, marking a shift from small-scale, artisanal production to large-scale manufacturing.
The revolution also brought about the utilization of new sources of fuel for candles. Whales provided whale oil, which burned cleaner and longer than traditional tallow candles. This oil became a popular choice for candle-making during the Industrial Revolution. The demand for whale oil fueled the whaling industry, leading to the development of specialized ships and hunting techniques to harvest whales on a large scale. However, the excessive hunting of whales eventually led to a decline in their population, prompting the search for alternative fuel sources.
The search for alternatives to whale oil led to the discovery and utilization of petroleum, which would revolutionize candle-making once again. The discovery of petroleum as a viable fuel source offered a more sustainable and affordable option for candle-making. Kerosene, a byproduct of petroleum refining, became widely used for candles, providing a cheaper and more accessible alternative to whale oil or beeswax. This transition to petroleum-based candles further propelled the candle-making industry, making candles more affordable and widely available to the general public.
The Industrial Revolution also influenced the marketing and distribution of candles. With the development of efficient transportation systems, candles could be distributed over larger geographical areas. Candlemakers could now market their products more widely, and the emergence of advertising and branding strategies allowed them to differentiate their candles from competitors. Candles were no longer just a source of light but also became decorative items, with various shapes, colours, and fragrances being introduced to appeal to a diverse range of consumers.
Lastly, the revolution brought about significant social and economic changes that impacted the candle-making industry. The emergence of factories and mechanized production led to a shift in the workforce, with many people moving from rural areas to urban centres in search of employment. This resulted in a change in the traditional family structure, as women and children often worked in candle-making factories, contributing to the family income. The increased availability and affordability of candles also contributed to social changes, as candlelight became more accessible to a wider range of people, influencing cultural practices and daily routines.
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Frequently asked questions
The first candles were made from reeds or sticks dipped in animal fat. These were called rushlights or torches and were used by the Ancient Egyptians around 3,000 B.C.
The Romans are thought to have made the first wicked candles. They did this by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly into melted tallow (animal fat).
Over time, innovations such as the use of moulds and wicks made from cotton or hemp improved the quality and performance of candles. 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 burned cleanly and was harder than tallow.
In China, candles were made from whale fat, beeswax, or wax derived from insects. Japanese candles were made from wax extracted from tree nuts. Indian candles were made from boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree.
