Jessie Taylor
Candles have been used as a source of light for thousands of years, with the earliest use of candles attributed to the Ancient Egyptians who made torches by soaking reeds in melted animal fat. The ancient Romans are generally credited with developing wicked candles, made by dipping rolled papyrus in tallow or beeswax. Over the years, candles were made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. In the 18th and 19th centuries, spermaceti from sperm whales was used, and in the 19th century, purified animal fats (stearin) and paraffin wax were introduced.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time Period | 19th Century (200 years ago) |
| Common Materials | Tallow, Beeswax, Spermaceti, Stearin, Paraffin Wax |
| Production Techniques | Dipping, Drawing, Hand-rolling, Moulding |
| Use Cases | Lighting, Ceremonies, Decoration |
| Producers | Guild Crafts in England and France, Colonial Women in America |
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What You'll Learn
Animal fat tallow candles
In Europe, tallow candles were the common household candle and were made from beef or deer tallow. Tallow was favoured for its low cost and wide availability, with candle makers going from house to house to create candles from kitchen fats. Tallow candles were also used in colonial America, where women discovered that boiling the berries of bayberry bushes produced a sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly.
To make animal fat tallow candles, one must first render the fat down. This can be done by gently melting the tallow in a double boiler and then straining it through a cheesecloth-lined colander. Once the tallow is fully strained, it can be poured into a jar or mould to create a jar candle or a pillar candle. It is important to use a jar that can tolerate heat, such as a canning jar, to prevent shattering. The wick should be made from a material suitable for soft waxes, such as cotton or soy, and cut to about an inch taller than the desired candle height. Essential oils can be added to the melted tallow to create aromatherapy candles, and it is important to let the candle burn for at least an hour at a time to prevent tunnelling.
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Beeswax candles
Two hundred years ago, in the early 19th century, candles were still primarily made from tallow, with beeswax candles being the preferred option for those who could afford them. Tallow is rendered from animal fat, and tallow candles burn with a smoky flame and a foul odour. In contrast, beeswax candles burn cleanly and emit a pleasant, sweet smell. They also burn for longer and brighter than tallow candles.
Beeswax is a natural, renewable resource, produced by bees to build their honeycombs. It has a high melting point, making it resistant to melting in warm conditions. Beeswax candles are non-toxic and safe for pets and children. They also emit negative ions when burned, helping to reduce pollutants and allergens in the air.
In the early 19th century, beeswax candles were made using tin moulds, which were difficult to use but produced clean and consistent results. The easier option was the dipping method, which produced rustic, functional candles with less effort.
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Spermaceti candles
Around 200 years ago, in the early 19th century, candles were still primarily made from tallow and beeswax in Europe. However, during this time, a shift began to occur, and spermaceti candles started to gain popularity.
Spermaceti is a waxy substance found in the head cavities of sperm whales. It is composed mostly of wax esters, with a smaller proportion of triglycerides. The blubber oil of the whale is about 66% wax. When it cools to 30 degrees Celsius or below, the waxes begin to solidify.
The production and sale of spermaceti candles were closely linked to the whaling industry, and this had devastating consequences for sperm whale populations. As people became more aware of the negative environmental impact of whaling and the significant decline in whale numbers, ethical concerns arose. This shift in consumer consciousness led to a decrease in demand for spermaceti candles, causing a decline in the whaling industry. By the 19th century, alternative materials like paraffin and stearin candles had gained popularity, offering more sustainable and eco-friendly options for candle-making.
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Stearin candles
Two hundred years ago, in the early 19th century, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax in Europe. However, the use of purified animal fats (stearin) for candles was introduced around this time.
Stearin is a valuable additive derived from vegetable oil, usually palm or sunflower oil, that can also be used as a wax on its own. It provides opacity, hardness, and a longer burn to candles. Stearin candles burn more evenly and have high thermal stability due to their higher melting point of 62°C (143.6°F).
The use of stearin in candle-making was made possible by French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul's discovery in the 19th century of how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids. This led to the development of stearin wax, which was hard, durable, and burned cleanly. Stearin candles became popular in Europe and remain so today.
In addition to its use in candles, stearin is also used in cosmetics, food, and soap due to its emulsifying properties. It is RSPO-certified for sustainable production and does not produce a repugnant odour when burned.
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Paraffin wax candles
200 years ago, in the early 1800s, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax in Europe. However, the use of paraffin wax for candles was introduced in the mid-19th century, specifically in the 1850s. Paraffin wax, also known as petroleum wax, is a soft, colorless, or bluish-white solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. It has a high specific heat capacity, making it an excellent material for storing heat.
The development of paraffin wax candles can be attributed to the work of French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul in the 1820s and German chemist Karl von Reichenbach in 1830. Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids, leading to the creation of stearin wax, which was hard, durable, and burned cleanly. This discovery solved the issue of early paraffin wax's low melting point. Meanwhile, Reichenbach aimed to develop a method to efficiently separate and refine waxy substances naturally occurring in petroleum.
The introduction of paraffin wax marked a significant advancement in the candle-making industry. Paraffin wax candles burned more cleanly and reliably than tallow candles, and they produced no unpleasant odors. Additionally, they were inexpensive to produce and could be made into high-quality candles. The use of paraffin wax also contributed to the mechanization of candle production, making candles an affordable commodity for the masses.
By the end of the 19th century, most candles being manufactured consisted of paraffin and stearic acid. The popularity of paraffin wax continued into the 20th century, with the growth of the oil industry ensuring a steady supply of this by-product. However, in the 1990s, new types of candle waxes were developed, and paraffin began to be replaced by alternatives like soy, palm, and flax-seed oil waxes.
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Frequently asked questions
About 200 years ago, in the early 19th century, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax in Europe. However, the use of spermaceti (from sperm whales) was also introduced during this period, offering a brighter light and a harder texture compared to tallow and beeswax.
In ancient times, candles were made from various natural materials such as plant fibres, animal fat, and beeswax. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Japanese, Chinese, and Indians all used different forms of wicked candles.
Early candles were produced by dipping rolled papyrus or wicks in molten fat, wax, or tallow repeatedly. They were also made by hand by rolling soft wax around a wick or pouring fat or wax onto a wick. The use of moulds was introduced in the 14th century.
Animal fat, also known as tallow, was commonly used for candles because it was cheap and easily available. Tallow candles were the primary household candle for Europeans for many centuries. However, they produced a smoky flame and an unpleasant odour.
