For more than 5,000 years candles have been the go-to light source and celebration product.
From setting the mood on date night to topping birthday cakes across the world, the purpose of candles has changed somewhat over the centuries.
However, despite having thousands of years of history behind them, the origins of who invented candles remain a bit of a mystery.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at who invented candles, as well as examine the fascinating history behind them.
Who Invented Candles
While the Ancient Egyptians are often credited as being the inventors of candles, their earliest examples took on the appearance of torches and rushlights to illuminate their path. The Egyptian method also combined animal fat with reeds to create the light source.
However, due to their lack of a wick and unfamiliar style, they were not remotely reminiscent of modern candles.
In terms of who is responsible for the origins of the candles we know and love today, like with many inventions, we have the Romans to thank…
The History Of Candle Making
Candles have an extremely interesting history. They’ve come a lot way since the days of the Egyptians and Romans and in the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at the history behind candle making.
Early Days
As previously mentioned, the Romans are responsible for developing wicked candles which went on to become the origins of wax candles we use today.
They used to dip rolled papyrus in melted tallow (a type of animal fat usually beef or mutton) or beeswax to create the candles which would then be used to light homes, help travellers navigate at night and utilised in religious ceremonies.
Despite being credited with their invention, Romans actually preferred to use oil lamps as a light source. This is because olive oil was cheaper across the Roman Empire and other parts of Europe.
Therefore, candles tended to be more prevalent in Asia during this time.
In China, Japan and India candles were created using different types of plants, fruit, nuts and even insects!
Middle Ages
As we transitioned into the Middle Ages, candles started to be used across Europe as the primary light source. This happened mainly because the fall of the Roman Empire meant that there was a shortage of fuel for lamps and burners.
Wax candles were also scarce at this time, with most products made from tallow. This is because they were far cheaper than beeswax options, which were only really used by the wealthy and for religious ceremonies.
Therefore, tallow candles were common in households across Europe, including the UK, however, they had an extremely unpleasant odour as they burned and it wasn’t long until a solution was required…
Colonial Times
As we approached the 18th century, the whaling industry began soaring in popularity. Candle making joined the long list of sectors that benefitted from the practice, marking one of the biggest shifts in the industry since the Middle Ages.
It was discovered that a substance called spermaceti could be developed by crystalising sperm whale oil, something that proved to be perfect for candles.
Spermaceti wax did not release a repugnant odour like tallow, and provided a stronger, bright light than beeswax making it the candle of choice across the world. These wax candles are widely regarded as the first example of the ‘standard’ that went on to become reminiscent of what is still used today.
Another technique was developed in the USA when people realised that boiling berries from bayberry bushes produced a pleasant aroma which burned well for a candle. However, this was short-lived as it was an extremely tedious process to extract the wax.
Modern Candle Making
In 1834, the inventor Joseph Morgan helped advance candle making like never before with the creation of a machine that allowed for constant production.
This meant that candles became widely available to the masses, and also helped make them become more affordable.
However, the purpose of candles began to shift as the years went by.
More and more homes were beginning to rely on electricity for light. In fact, the number of properties lit by electricity jumped from 6% in 1919 to more than two-thirds by the start of the 1940s.
This meant that candles became more of a luxury than a necessity.
However, they remained a popular decorative item.
Nowadays, candles are available in a whole host of sizes, shapes, scents and more. While no longer a required commodity to light our homes, they’re still regularly purchased as a means to celebrate special occasions, create a relaxing or romantic ambience or simply enhance the aesthetic of a room.
Last modified: August 3, 2023
