Brooke Martin
The first commercial candles were made possible by the industrialization of candle production in the mid-19th century. Before this, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax, with the latter being the preferred choice for churches and wealthy households due to its clean burn and lack of smoky odor. In 1834, Joseph Morgan, an English pewterer, patented a machine that revolutionized candle-making, allowing for continuous production and significantly increasing efficiency. This mechanized production process made candles affordable for the masses. However, it was the discovery of paraffin wax in the mid-1850s by James Young that truly transformed the candle industry. Young developed a commercially viable method of producing high-quality, inexpensive candles from paraffin wax derived from coal and oil shales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest known candles | Likely developed by Egyptians and Romans |
| First wicked candles | Created by Romans |
| Common candle-making materials in the Middle East during Abbasid and Fatimid Caliphates | Beeswax |
| Common candle-making materials in China | Beeswax, stillingia tallow from Chinese tallow tree, Chinese wax derived from insects |
| Common candle-making materials in Japan | Japan wax from the Japanese wax tree |
| Common candle-making materials in India | Wax from boiling cinnamon |
| Common candle-making materials in Europe | Tallow, beeswax |
| Candle-making material in the 18th century | Spermaceti, an oil from sperm whales |
| Candle-making material in the mid-1850s | Paraffin wax |
| Candle-making material in the 19th century | Stearin, a substance derived from animal fats or palm oil |
| Commercial candles in the US | Contain 60% paraffin, 35% stearic acid, and 5% beeswax |
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What You'll Learn
- The first commercial candles were made from paraffin wax
- Paraffin candles were inexpensive and high-quality
- Before paraffin, candles were made from tallow, beeswax, and spermaceti
- The Industrial Revolution brought about large-scale candle production
- Candles were a significant form of indoor lighting until electric light was invented
The first commercial candles were made from paraffin wax
The history of candle-making dates back thousands of years, with the Ancient Egyptians and Romans creating the first candles. However, the first commercial candles were made from paraffin wax, a significant development in the history of candle-making.
In the mid-1850s, James Young established the world's first oil refinery at the Alfreton Ironworks in Riddings, Derbyshire. He successfully distilled paraffin wax from coal and oil shales, creating a commercially viable method for producing candles. This discovery revolutionized the candle industry, as paraffin wax could be used to make inexpensive, high-quality candles that burned cleanly and left no unpleasant odour, addressing the drawbacks of tallow candles.
Paraffin wax, a by-product of oil, was introduced at a pivotal time in the 19th century when the candle-making industry was undergoing significant transformations. With the growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century and early 19th century, spermaceti, derived from sperm whale oil, had become a popular candle-making material. Spermaceti was harder than tallow or beeswax and produced a brighter light without the repugnant odour associated with burning animal fats. However, it was still expensive and not easily accessible.
The introduction of paraffin wax changed the candle-making landscape. Paraffin was a bluish-white wax with a higher melting point due to the addition of stearin, discovered by French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul. This new wax could be efficiently separated from petroleum and refined, making it ideal for mass production. Mechanized production methods, such as the invention of machines for continuous candle-making by Joseph Morgan in 1834, further contributed to the affordability and widespread availability of candles.
The use of paraffin wax in candle-making continued to evolve, with new techniques and wax blends being developed in the 20th century. As consumer interests shifted towards decorative and scented candles, candle manufacturers experimented with different waxes like soy, palm, and flax-seed oil, often blending them with paraffin to balance performance and cost. Today, candles are enjoyed as decorative items, mood-setters, and gifts, with a diverse range of sizes, shapes, colours, and scents available on the market.
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Paraffin candles were inexpensive and high-quality
The history of candle-making is a long and fascinating one, with the earliest known candles likely developed by the Egyptians and Romans. However, it was not until the 19th century that the candle-making process was truly revolutionised with the introduction of paraffin wax.
Paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct, was first discovered by James Young in 1848. Young established the world's first oil refinery and created two paraffin wax candles from the naturally occurring paraffin wax present in the oil. These candles illuminated a lecture at the Royal Institution by Lyon Playfair, marking a significant moment in the history of lighting.
In the mid-1850s, James Young took his discovery a step further and succeeded in distilling paraffin wax from coal and oil shales. This marked the development of a commercially viable method of production. Paraffin wax could now be processed by distilling the residue left after crude petroleum was refined.
One of the most significant advantages of paraffin wax was its ability to produce inexpensive, high-quality candles. The wax burned cleanly, leaving no unpleasant odour, and was a bluish-white colour. It had a low melting point, but this issue was later resolved with the introduction of stearin by Michel Eugène Chevreul.
Paraffin wax is still the most commonly used candle wax today. It is highly versatile, with various melt points making it suitable for creating container candles, tealights, and thick pillars. It holds fragrance and colour exceptionally well, making it a popular choice for scented and coloured candles. The wax is typically formed into slabs for easier handling and can be purchased in bulk at affordable prices.
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Before paraffin, candles were made from tallow, beeswax, and spermaceti
The earliest use of candles is often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. While the Egyptians used rushlights, the Romans are generally credited with developing wicked candles by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. These ancient candles were far from the refined products we know today, but they served the essential purpose of providing light.
Over time, the methods and materials used in candle-making evolved. During the Middle Ages, beeswax candles became popular, especially within religious institutions. Beeswax burned cleanly and without a smoky odour, making it the preferred choice for churches and wealthy households.
Before the use of paraffin, candles were commonly made from tallow, beeswax, and spermaceti. Tallow is a hard fat from animals, typically from suet, used to make candles and soap. Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees, which has been used for various purposes, including candle-making. Spermaceti, an oil derived from the head cavity of sperm whales, became widely used for candle-making during the growth of the whaling industry in the 18th century. Spermaceti wax did not produce a foul odour when burned and produced a significantly brighter light compared to tallow and beeswax. It was also harder, making it less prone to softening or bending in hot weather.
In the 19th century, large-scale industrial manufacturing techniques were introduced, marking a significant turning point in the history of candle-making. This period saw the invention of stearin, a substance derived from animal fats or palm oil that improved candle quality. The first "standard candles" were made from spermaceti wax, and by 1800, colza oil and rapeseed oil emerged as cheaper alternatives.
The introduction of paraffin wax in the mid-1850s revolutionized candle-making. James Young established the world's first oil refinery in 1848 and successfully distilled paraffin wax from coal and oil shales. Paraffin could be used to make inexpensive, high-quality candles that burned cleanly and left no unpleasant odour. However, early paraffin waxes had a low melting point, which was addressed by the introduction of stearin. By the end of the 19th century, most candles being manufactured consisted of paraffin and stearic acid.
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The Industrial Revolution brought about large-scale candle production
The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century brought about large-scale candle production. This revolutionised candle-making, allowing for the continuous production of moulded candles. Before this, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax in Europe, with moulds being introduced later. The ancient Egyptians used rushlights, which were reeds soaked in animal fat, while the Romans created the first wicked candles. During the Middle Ages, beeswax candles became popular, especially within religious institutions, as they burned cleanly and without a smoky odour.
The 19th century marked a turning point in candle-making with the invention of stearin, a substance derived from animal fats or palm oil that improved candle quality. In 1825, French chemists Michel Eugène Chevreul and Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac patented stearin, and it was later widely available due to the discovery of stearic acid by Chevreul in the 1850s. This discovery allowed for the creation of candles with a higher melting point, addressing the drawbacks of early paraffin wax candles.
The whaling industry's growth in the 18th century also influenced candle production. Spermaceti, derived from sperm whales, became widely used and was the first candle substance available in mass quantities. Spermaceti produced a brighter light, burned cleanly, and was harder than tallow or beeswax. By 1800, cheaper alternatives like colza oil and rapeseed oil emerged, yielding clear and smokeless flames.
The mid-19th century saw the industrialised mass-market production of candles. In 1834, Joseph Morgan from Manchester, England, patented a machine that enabled continuous moulded candle production, making candles affordable for the masses. This machine could produce about 1,500 candles per hour with minimal labour. Additionally, candlemakers began using tightly braided cotton wicks, creating "self-trimming" or "self-consuming" wicks that curled over as they burned.
The introduction of paraffin wax in the 1850s further transformed the candle-making industry. Chemists discovered how to efficiently separate and refine the waxy substance from petroleum, resulting in an economical, odourless, and bluish-white wax that burned cleanly and consistently. However, the arrival of superior lighting methods like kerosene lamps and the incandescent light bulb in 1879 led to a decline in candle-making. Despite this, candles regained popularity in the first half of the 20th century due to the increased availability of byproducts from the oil and meatpacking industries, which were essential for candle production.
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Candles were a significant form of indoor lighting until electric light was invented
The use of candles as a source of light dates back millennia. The earliest known candles were likely developed by the Egyptians and Romans, who used reeds soaked in animal fat (known as rushlights) or created the first wicked candles, respectively. During the Middle Ages, beeswax candles became popular, especially within religious institutions, due to their clean burn and lack of smoky odour.
In the 18th century, with the growth of the whaling industry, spermaceti, an oil derived from sperm whales, became a widely used substance for candle-making. Spermaceti wax produced a brighter light, burned without an unpleasant odour, and was harder than tallow or beeswax, making it ideal for warm climates. By 1800, even cheaper alternatives like colza oil and rapeseed oil emerged, yielding candles with clear, smokeless flames.
The 19th century marked a significant shift in candle-making with the Industrial Revolution. In 1825, French chemists Michel Eugène Chevreul and Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac patented stearin, derived from animal fats or palm oil, improving candle quality. In 1834, Joseph Morgan, an English pewterer, patented a machine that revolutionised candle-making, allowing for continuous production and making candles an affordable commodity for the masses.
Later in the mid-1850s, James Young developed a commercially viable method for distilling paraffin wax from coal and oil shales. Paraffin candles were inexpensive, high-quality, burned cleanly, and lacked the unpleasant odour of tallow candles. This made candles accessible to a wider population, and they became a significant form of indoor lighting.
However, with the invention of electric light, candles became less essential for illumination. They were gradually replaced by other lighting sources, such as oil lamps and, eventually, light bulbs. Nevertheless, candles continue to be used for functional, symbolic, and aesthetic purposes, as well as in specific cultural and religious settings.
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Frequently asked questions
Commercial candles started in the mid-19th century.
Commercial candles were made from paraffin wax, a substance derived from coal and oil shales.
In 1834, Joseph Morgan patented a machine that revolutionised candle-making. The machine allowed for continuous production by using a cylinder with a moveable piston to eject candles as they solidified.
Before commercial candles, candles were made from tallow, beeswax, spermaceti (from sperm whales), and purified animal fats (stearin).
