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From practical to home decorative

Candles have come a long way from being the light that illuminates the dark to a home decoration in a quirky girl’s room. With technology advancing so rapidly, we tend to move on and forget past inventions that paved the way for the future, such as candle making. A form of art that was used for ceremonies, festivities, and lighting up pathways. Let’s take a look at the history of candle making and how far we as humans have advanced from its practical uses to home decor.

And then there was light

Candles have illuminated the roads for more than 5,000 years. According to the National Candle Association (NCA), the Romans were the first to develop the wick candle around 3,000 BC. The candles were created by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. These wick candles were used to light up the roads for travelers, their homes, and religious ceremonies.

Other notable civilizations that developed the wick candle are China, Japan, and India. Each in their own unique way, such as using insects, tree nuts, and boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree.

Beeswax and the rise in quality

By the Middle Ages, candle making had spread over Europe as beeswax was introduced. Unlike beef tallow, which was a common candle wax derived from sheep or cow and contained a foul smell, beeswax burned clean, pure, and had a nice sweet scent. But they were expensive to produce, making it a luxury for the churches and upper-classmen.

The industrial shift

The 18^thand 19^th centuries brought major developments and changes for candle making. The early 1800s brought major developments for candle making as stearin wax was discovered by French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul, which was hard and burned more cleanly. But the biggest discovery was the introduction of paraffin wax in 1850, a byproduct of oil refining. Paraffin was cheap to produce, burned long, and could be mass-produced. However, in the late 1800s, the invention of the light bulb was introduced to the public, leading to candles’ decline.

From necessity to ambience

With the invention of the light bulb, candle making shifted to another purpose. No longer needed to light up your home, their focus changed to comfort, atmosphere, and ritual. This opened the door for scents to take over, and candles to become decorative items, mood setters, and personalized gifts.

Modern candles

Candles have come a long way when it comes to their usage. What started as a way to hide from the darkness has become a major part of daily life, relaxation, self-care, and home ambience, proving that past inventions can survive.