Tyler Brooks
Candles have been used as a source of light since Roman times, with the first lanterns mentioned in written documents by Empedocles of Agrigentum and the poet Theopompus from ancient Greece. In England, candlemaking became a guild craft in the 13th century, and they continued to be used as a source of light in the Tudor era, with Elizabeth I reigning from 1558 to 1603. In the 1700s, lanterns made from metal and glass became popular, and by the late 18th century, the growth of the whaling industry brought about the first major change in candlemaking since the Middle Ages, with the introduction of spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whale oil. By 1792, William Murdoch had developed a practical system for coal gas lighting, and in 1812, the London and Westminster Chartered Gaslight and Coke Company became the world's first gas company. Over the next 50 years, coal gas lighting became a mature industry in England, and by 1858, the British gas industrialist William Sugg had patented burners made from steatite or soapstone. By the late 20th century, electric lighting had superseded lanterns and candles as the primary source of light.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | Medieval, Elizabethan, Jacobean, Gothic, Post-war |
| Light source | Candles, oil lamps, gaslights, electric lights |
| Materials | Metal, glass, wood, tallow, beeswax, whale oil, coal gas, electricity |
| Use | Everyday lighting, signalling, decoration, religious rituals, celebrations |
| Features | Portable, fixed, hanging, protective enclosure, dark metal fittings |
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What You'll Learn
- The first organised public street lighting in London was in 1417, when lanterns were made mandatory after nightfall
- Medieval lighting used candles, rush lights, flaming torches, or lanterns
- In the 1700s, lanterns were made from metal and glass, but electric light superseded them
- Gas lighting became a mature industry in England by 1875, and was a quarter of the cost of candle lighting
- Candles were made from animal fat or beeswax
The first organised public street lighting in London was in 1417, when lanterns were made mandatory after nightfall
The first organised public street lighting in London was in 1417 when the Mayor of London ordered that all homes must hang lanterns outdoors after nightfall during winter. This was the first time that lanterns were made mandatory in England, marking a significant development in the history of public street lighting.
Lanterns have been used as a source of lighting for centuries, often featuring a protective enclosure for the light source. Historically, this light source was typically a candle, wick in oil, or thermoluminescent mesh. The ancient Chinese sometimes captured fireflies and used them as short-term lanterns, while ancient Indians also used fireflies but more prevalently employed fire torches. Lanterns protected the flame from being extinguished by wind, rain, or other external factors. They were also used to reduce the risk of fire, preventing sparks from leaping from the flame and minimising the chances of a dropped light source causing a blaze.
In London, the introduction of mandatory lanterns in 1417 marked a shift towards organised public street lighting. This early adoption of lanterns set a precedent for the use of lighting in public spaces, which became increasingly common in the 1500s. The invention of lanterns with glass windows, which provided brighter illumination, further contributed to the growing popularity of street lighting.
Over time, the design and functionality of lanterns evolved. In the 1700s, metal and glass lanterns became popular, powered by whale oil or gas. Portable lanterns used kerosene as fuel, and electric lanterns began to emerge. By the 1800s, coal gas lighting had become a mature industry in England, providing a more affordable alternative to lighting with oil or candles. The development of electric arc lights and the discovery of electromagnetic induction by Michael Faraday in 1831 paved the way for commercial electric generators and the electrification of lighthouses in England by 1860.
The evolution of lighting technology continued, with the introduction of kerosene lamps around 1850, followed by the widespread adoption of electric lighting. While lanterns have been largely superseded by electric lights in modern times, they continue to be used for decorative purposes, cultural traditions, and emergency lighting.
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Medieval lighting used candles, rush lights, flaming torches, or lanterns
The Medieval period, from 800 to 1500, saw the use of various lighting sources such as large central fireplaces, candles, rush lights, flaming torches, and lanterns.
Candles, which had been in use since Roman times, were made from animal fat or beeswax, the latter being more expensive and accessible only to the wealthy. Rush lights were simple tapers made by dipping dried rush stalks into animal fat. They were the cheapest and simplest form of lighting but were not very bright. Torches, on the other hand, were larger than candles and could be fixed to walls, carried, or staked into the ground. They were typically made from branches or bound sticks of wood soaked in something flammable.
Lanterns were a significant development in medieval lighting. Initially, they consisted of perforated clay containers holding candles or small oil lamps. Over time, these were replaced by lanterns made of metal, horn, and later, glass. The use of translucent materials improved light distribution, and their protective enclosure made lanterns ideal for outdoor use and travel. In towns, lanterns were used for street lighting, with night watchmen often patrolling with them.
Medieval lanterns were also used indoors, with wealthier homes having more elaborate designs. For example, the Tudor era (1485-1603) saw the use of heavy dark metal chandeliers with Gothic motifs and heraldic shields, while metal wall sconces and lanterns were also popular. In contrast, poorer homes had simple wooden shutters, relying on artificial light during colder seasons.
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In the 1700s, lanterns were made from metal and glass, but electric light superseded them
The evolution of lanterns is a fascinating journey through history, from the ancient Chinese practice of capturing fireflies in containers to the modern electric lanterns that illuminate our streets and homes today. In the 1700s, lanterns played a crucial role in lighting, with metal and glass lanterns becoming popular. These lanterns were a significant improvement from the earlier iron baskets filled with wood knots, hung from poles to light up crossroads during the night.
The 1700s lanterns were crafted from metal and glass, a design that offered both functionality and aesthetics. Metal provided durability and heat resistance, while glass panels allowed light to pass through, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. These lanterns housed candles, wicks in oil, or thermoluminescent meshes, providing a reliable source of light that was protected from the wind and rain.
During this time, various types of lanterns were in use. Some lanterns were designed to be portable, making them convenient for transportation and outdoor use. These portable lanterns often utilised kerosene as fuel and featured a wick or mantle as their light source. They were essential for travellers and explorers, providing much-needed illumination in dark and unfamiliar environments.
However, the dominance of metal and glass lanterns in the 1700s was eventually challenged by the emergence of electric lighting. The invention and widespread adoption of electric light superseded the traditional lanterns, marking a significant turning point in lighting technology. Electric light offered brighter and more consistent illumination, revolutionising the way people lit their surroundings.
While metal and glass lanterns may have become less prevalent with the advent of electric lighting, they have not disappeared entirely. Even today, you can find decorative lanterns that evoke the style and charm of the 1700s. These lanterns, often featuring intricate metalwork and leaded glass, are sought after for their antique appeal, adding a touch of historical elegance to modern spaces.
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Gas lighting became a mature industry in England by 1875, and was a quarter of the cost of candle lighting
The use of lanterns in England dates back to the Medieval period, when they were primarily used as a source of lighting. These early lanterns were typically made of metal and glass, with candles or oil lamps as the primary light source. During the 17th century, it was discovered that heating coal produced flammable gas, but it wasn't until the late 18th and early 19th centuries that pioneers like William Murdoch and Frederick Winsor developed practical coal gas lighting systems and established the world's first gas companies.
By 1825, gas lighting had become a quarter of the cost of candle lighting, making it a rapidly growing alternative. Over the next 50 years, coal gas lighting became a mature industry in England, with highly developed technology. This period saw the emergence of gas companies that manufactured and distributed coal gas to major cities, revolutionising street lighting. Notable figures like the great British gas industrialist William Sugg contributed to the advancement of gas lighting technology, patenting burners made from steatite or soapstone.
The transition from candle and oil lamps to gas lighting brought about significant changes in illumination. Gas lighting utilised a winding network of pipes that transported gas from factories and storage tanks to homes, churches, theatres, stores, and offices. The process of producing illuminating gas involved subjecting coal to high heat for several hours in a closed container, separating it into solid, liquid, and gas hydrocarbons. After cooling, washing, and scrubbing, the gas was pumped into storage tanks and then delivered through underground pipes to its final destinations.
While gas lighting offered a more cost-effective and advanced solution, electric lighting would eventually supersede it. The discovery of electromagnetic induction by Michael Faraday in 1831 and the subsequent development of commercial electric generators marked a shift towards electric power. By the 1860s, lighthouses in England and France were already utilising electric arc lights, and by the 1870s, electric lanterns powered by batteries became a common alternative to gas lighting.
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Candles were made from animal fat or beeswax
The use of candles as a light source dates back to ancient times, with evidence of their use in ancient Greece, Egypt, China, and Italy. Candles were made from various materials, including animal fat and beeswax, with the type of wax depending on availability and cultural practices.
In the Roman period, candles were made from animal fat, specifically rendered animal fat called tallow. Tallow was cheap and easily accessible, making it the most common type of candle for centuries. However, the unpleasant smell of tallow candles due to the presence of glycerine led to the search for alternative materials.
Beeswax was introduced as an alternative to tallow in the 1500s. It was a byproduct of honey collection, and it was purified by boiling it in seawater multiple times. Beeswax candles had several advantages over tallow candles, including a brighter and longer burn with less smoke and a more pleasant scent. However, beeswax was more challenging to obtain, making beeswax candles more expensive. As a result, beeswax candles were primarily used by the wealthy, the Church, and for royal events in Europe during the Middle Ages.
In China, textual evidence suggests that candles may have been made from whale fat during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). Additionally, Indian temple candles were made from wax derived from boiling cinnamon, while Japanese candles used wax from the Japanese wax tree.
The use of candles continued through the Middle Ages and into the Elizabethan era, where artificial lighting in England was provided by candlelight and open fires. However, it is unclear when lanterns replaced candles as the primary source of lighting in England.
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Frequently asked questions
Before electric lighting, lanterns in England were made from metal and glass and used candles, oil or gas with a wick as a light source.
England transitioned from candles to lanterns over a long period of time. Candles were used in Roman times and the Middle Ages, and candlemaking became a guild craft in England and France by the 13th century. In the 1700s, lanterns were popular and used candles, oil or gas. By the 1800s, gas lighting was being used in England, and by the 1850s, it was a mature industry. In the late 1800s, electric lighting began to be used in lighthouses.
Lanterns protected the flame of a candle from being extinguished by wind or rain, making it more reliable outdoors.
