Chloe Adams
Candles have been used for over two millennia, primarily as a source of light, and in religious celebrations. 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. However, these did not have a true candle wick. The Romans were the first to make wicked candles by wrapping papyrus around twine and dipping it into tallow, a rendered form of beef or mutton fat. Candles were also independently created in multiple ancient civilizations, including China, India, Japan, and Alaska and Canada, using locally available plants, insects, and animal fats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest use | Attributed to the Ancient Egyptians as early as 3000 BC |
| Earliest surviving candle | Found in the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty in Han, China, dating back to 200 BC |
| First wicked candles | Made by Romans |
| Candle from plant wax | Romans used beeswax or tallow |
| Candle from animal fat | Used by Ancient Egyptians, Romans, Alaskans and Canadians |
| Candle from wax extracted from tree nuts | Used in Japan |
| Candle from boiling cinnamon tree fruit | Used in India |
| Candle from oily fish | Used by tribes in North America in the 1st century |
| First affordable candles | Made from spermaceti in the 18th century |
| First mass-produced candles | Made by Joseph Morgan in 1834 |
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What You'll Learn
- Candles were first used around 3,000 to 5,000 years ago
- The Ancient Egyptians made rushlights by dipping dried plant cores into animal fat
- Romans made the first wicked candles by dipping papyrus into tallow
- In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe
- In the 1800s, various innovations led to the mass production of candles
Candles were first used around 3,000 to 5,000 years ago
Candles have been used for over two millennia, and were a significant form of indoor lighting until the invention of other types of light sources. They were first used around 3,000 to 5,000 years ago, with the Ancient Egyptians using rushlights, a type of candle made by soaking the dried pith, or core, of the rush plant in melted animal fat or grease. These early candles did not have a wick, so they were not like the candles we know today, but they were one of the earliest forms of contained light.
Before the invention of candles, ancient people used open fire, torches, splinters of resinous wood, and oil lamps to provide light at night. Oil lamps, which consisted of a lit wick resting in a pool of oil or fat, were used from the Paleolithic period, and pottery and stone lamps from the Neolithic period have been discovered.
Candles are thought to have been independently created in multiple ancient civilisations. In China, textual evidence suggests that candles may have been made from whale fat during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). The earliest known surviving candle was found in the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty in Han, China, dating back to 200 BC. In Japan, candles were made from wax extracted from tree nuts, while in India, candle wax was made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree.
In Western civilisations, candles were made from beeswax and tallow, with the former being far superior in terms of smell and smoke, but also much more expensive. As such, beeswax candles were used almost exclusively by the upper classes and the church. In the 1800s, cheaper alternatives were discovered, such as colza oil and rapeseed oil, which produced clear, smokeless flames.
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The Ancient Egyptians made rushlights by dipping dried plant cores into animal fat
The use of candles dates back to ancient times, with various civilizations employing different methods and materials for their creation. One notable contributor to the evolution of candles was the Ancient Egyptians, who crafted rushlights, also known as torches, by dipping dried plant cores into animal fat. This process involved soaking the pithy core of reeds or the rush plant in melted animal fat or grease, resulting in a primitive form of lighting.
The Ancient Egyptians' innovation of rushlights dates back approximately 3,000 to 5,000 years. These rushlights were distinct from the modern concept of candles as they lacked a wick. However, they played a crucial role in human development by demonstrating that light could be contained and transported within houses and across sites. Furthermore, their inexpensive nature made them accessible to people from all economic backgrounds, and they were often used as nightlights due to their safety compared to candles.
The Ancient Egyptians' choice of materials for rushlights is worth noting. They utilized dried plant cores, specifically the pithy core of reeds or the rush plant, which was readily available in their environment. For the animal fat component, they likely employed tallow, which was commonly used in early Western cultures. Tallow is derived from animal fat, such as beef or mutton fat, and was a significant source of candle-making wax until the modern era.
The impact of the Ancient Egyptians' rushlights extended beyond their time. Their invention laid the foundation for future advancements in candle-making, particularly the development of wicked candles by the Romans. The Romans built upon the concept of rushlights by introducing papyrus wicks, which they dipped repeatedly into melted tallow or beeswax. This innovation marked a significant improvement in terms of longevity and quality compared to traditional rushlights.
The Ancient Egyptians' contribution to the evolution of candles and lighting devices is undeniable. By creating rushlights through the dipping of dried plant cores into animal fat, they paved the way for subsequent innovations. The Ancient Egyptians' rushlights not only provided a source of light but also influenced the development of candle-making techniques, ultimately shaping the way we illuminate our world today.
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Romans made the first wicked candles by dipping papyrus into tallow
The history of candles is a fascinating journey through time, with these illuminating tools playing a significant role in ancient civilizations. While the exact origin of candles is unknown, it is believed that the ancient Egyptians were among the first to use a form of candle, which involved lighting reeds coated in animal fat. However, it was the Romans who introduced significant innovations, creating the first wicked candles. This development marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of lighting and set a precedent for future advancements.
The Roman Empire, with its vast expanse and influence, brought about numerous inventions and adaptations, and the candle was no exception. Roman ingenuity led to the creation of the first wicked candle, a design that would become the prototype for all future candles. By dipping papyrus into tallow, which is animal fat, they created a basic candle with a wick. This process, though rudimentary, revolutionized lighting, providing a more stable and consistent flame compared to previous methods.
The choice of material was strategic; papyrus, a readily available plant in the Mediterranean region, served as a convenient and efficient wick. Its fibrous nature allowed for capillary action, drawing the melted tallow upwards, ensuring a consistent fuel supply to the flame. Animal fat, particularly tallow, provided the necessary combustible material, creating a bright and relatively long-lasting flame. This combination of papyrus and tallow formed the fundamental structure of early candles.
The Romans' innovation in candle-making had a profound impact on society. These wicked candles provided a more reliable and controllable source of light, contributing to extended working hours and improved productivity. The ability to illuminate spaces artificially influenced social gatherings, cultural practices, and even religious ceremonies. The Roman candle, with its simple yet effective design, became a staple in households, temples, and public spaces, shaping the way people interacted with their environment and each other.
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In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe
Candles have been used as a source of light for over 5,000 years, with the earliest use often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians. However, the exact origin of candles is unknown. In the Middle Ages, a major improvement was introduced in Europe with beeswax candles.
Beeswax candles were a significant upgrade from the animal-based tallow candles that were commonly used in Europe prior to the Middle Ages. Tallow candles were made from animal fats, such as fat from cows or sheep, and produced a smoky flame with an unpleasant odour due to the glycerine they contained. The smell of the manufacturing process was so repulsive that it was banned in several European cities.
Beeswax, on the other hand, burned cleanly and emitted a pleasant, sweet fragrance. It was also harder than tallow, making it more durable, especially in warmer temperatures. However, beeswax candles were more expensive to produce, and as such, their use was largely restricted to the wealthy, churches, and royal events. Beekeeping was not as common in the early Middle Ages, making honey and beeswax rare and costly.
The introduction of beeswax candles to Europe may have been influenced by the Silk Road, as the use of beeswax candles was already prevalent in other regions, such as the Tang Dynasty in China and the Middle East during the Abbasid and Fatimid Caliphates. In Europe, candle-making techniques included dipping or drawing a wick in molten wax or tallow, shaping soft wax around a wick, or pouring wax or tallow over the wick. By the 13th century, candlemaking had become a guild craft in England and France, with the Tallow Chandlers Company of London being formed around 1300.
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In the 1800s, various innovations led to the mass production of candles
Candles have been used for over two millennia, primarily made from tallow and beeswax in Europe from the Roman period until the 18th century. The growth of the whaling industry in the 18th century brought the first major change in candlemaking since the Middle Ages, with the introduction of spermaceti—a wax derived from sperm whales. Spermaceti did not produce an unpleasant odour when burned, unlike tallow candles, and it produced a significantly brighter light. It was also harder than tallow or beeswax, making it less susceptible to heat.
Paraffin wax was introduced in the 1850s, after chemists learned how to efficiently separate the naturally-occurring waxy substance from petroleum and refine it. Paraffin burned cleanly and consistently, and was more economical to produce than other candle fuels. Its only disadvantage was a low melting point, which was soon overcome by adding stearic acid. By the end of the 19th century, most candles consisted of paraffin and stearic acid.
In the mid-19th century, Syracuse, New York, became a global centre for candle manufacturing, with companies including Will & Baumer, Mack Miller, Muench Kruezer, and Cathedral Candle Company. In 1854, George Wilson, the son of William Wilson, distilled the first petroleum oil and pioneered the use of steam distillation, allowing for the manufacture of candles from a wide range of raw materials. Despite these advances, the candle industry declined rapidly with the introduction of superior lighting methods, including kerosene lamps and the incandescent light bulb in 1879.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear when candles were first invented, but it is estimated that they have been used for over 5,000 years. The Ancient Egyptians used rushlights, a type of candle made by soaking the dried pith or core of the rush plant in melted animal fat or grease, as early as 3,000 BC.
The Romans are thought to have made the first wicked candles by wrapping a roll of papyrus around a length of twine and dipping it into tallow, a form of beef or mutton fat.
In ancient times, candles were made from locally available plants, insects, and animal fats. For example, in China, wax was made from crushed insects and seeds, while in India, wax was made from boiling cinnamon tree fruit.
