History of Candles | Savage Bros Blog

Whether a birthday party, romantic meal or trick or treat night, candles usually find their way into all sorts of special events. But did you know that prior to the 1980s, the primary use for candles was still illumination? What started as a mound of molded animal fat, has transformed over the past 5,000 years to become the most common decorative item in a home. Here three things you probably didn’t know about your favorite flamed adornment.

Candles

1 – Candles have been illuminating celebrations for more than 5,000 years

It is known that the Egyptians began using candles somewhere around 3,000 B.C. because of artifacts found in the pyramids. Historians have also found evidence that other early civilizations, including the Chinese and Japanese, created candles around that same time. It is believed that these civilizations used candles to celebrate early religious ceremonies, to guide travelers and light their homes.

2 – Candles used to be made of animal fat

The Ancient Romans, who are often credited for inventing the wicked candle, used primitive candle making equipment to melt animal fat into papyrus paper to form candles. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages, that people began using beeswax to create candles. The beeswax burned cleaner and had no odor, so it quickly became the preferred candle material, although remained expensive until the 19^th century.

3 – Candle making was revolutionized in the 19^th century

The candle we think of now when the word is said didn’t come to creation until the 19^th century. In the 1820s, a French chemist discovered the chemical stearin, which led to the creation of stearin candles which are still popular today. Then in 1834, Joseph Morgan developed candle making machinery that allowed for the continuous creation of molded candles. This tool allowed candles to be quickly produced at an affordable price. In the mid-1980s, interest for the candles again increased and candle makers because creating new types of candles including soy, aromatherapy, and various shapes and sizes.

Today’s candles have come a long way since their original inception. Whether used for relaxation, celebration or illumination, candles continue to play an important role in our lives.

Candles have been a part of human history for thousands of years; they are one of our earliest—and greatest—inventions. The first known reference to candles was more than 5,000 years ago in Avignon, France, where “rush lights” (rushes dipped in fat) were used to light great halls, cottages, shops and churches.

History of Candles

From there, candle making steadily advanced to use a variety of different materials. Everyday candles were typically made with animal fat from sheep or cows (tallow), beeswax or spermaceti (a substance derived from oil found in sperm whales). Tallow candles had the dimmest light and usually had a very foul odor; beeswax candles were less expensive and brighter, but not quite as bright as spermaceti candles (which were also less expensive, too!).

By the 19^th century, patented candle-making machines were starting to be developed and allowed for mass-produced candles to be widely available and affordable. During this time, scientists created a new substance called “stearine” by extracting glycerine from tallow. Stearine was harder than tallow and burned brighter and longer.

During this time, innovations with wicks also led to even better candles. Instead of simply twisting strands of cotton, new wicks were plaited tightly so that the burned portions would curl upon themselves instead of falling into the candle as it burned. This eliminated the need to trim or clean wicks as a candle burned.

Additional candle developments like the addition of lime, palmatine and paraffin to mixtures further developed the commercial candle business. Many of these innovations are still used in candle making today, though the processes have been streamlined with the use of professional equipment and tools. Large-scale melters, cookers, and bowls for lifting and pouring all make mass candle-making faster and easier than ever.

For more than 100 years, the experts at Savage Bros. have been developing and refining professional candle-making equipment. From extruders, thermometers, cutters, mixers and more, we are the company to call for all of your candle-making equipment needs. Contact us today to learn how our products can help make your candle-making processes easier and more efficient than ever.

Tag Archives: History of Candles

The History of Candles

The History of Candles