We use them as props for an intimate dinner. We use them to change the odor of a room. And, of course we use them when the lights go out, but how much do we know about the candle; a great source of energy that got left behind once electricity took over. The word candle comes from the Latin word, candere, which means to shine. The Ancient Egyptians have been given credit for creating the first candle, their version was called the rushlight, or the more common name, the torch. The strange thing about the torch was that it had no wick. It was the Romans that were credited with developing the first wick candle.

As the middle ages came around, so did another form of candle, this type of candle was made with beeswax. Beeswax is just as it sounds, it is a substance made by honey bees to make their honeycombs. Beeswax candles were a great improvement over earlier forms of candles; they did not have a smoky flame, and when they burned, they didn't give off a bitter odor. After the middle ages, the whale got involved. Yes, the whale actually contributed to candle history. Apparently, in the late 18th century, they found a way to crystallize sperm whale oil. The name given to this wax was spermaceti. Spermaceti did not give off a bitter odor and was proven to be harder then beeswax. It is believed that the first standard candles were made from spermaceti wax. The American Colonial women also tried their hand at making candles. They created a sweet smelling, clean burning wax, by boiling the grayish green berries of a bayberry bush. The problem was, trying to extract the wax from the bayberries was extremely hard. Needless to say, the bayberry wax had a very short life.

The 19th century brought about major advancements in the production of candle making. In 1834, Joseph Morgan invented a machine that could produce molded candles. In 1850 a new kind of wax was introduced, it was called paraffin. This was created by distilling the left over residue of crude petroleum oil being refined. The greatness of paraffin was found in its costs. Paraffin was cheaper to produce then those candle fuels that came before it, but on the down side, paraffin had a very low melting point, but this problem became null and void with the creation and production of stearic acid. Around this time in history, most candles consisted of paraffin and stearic acid.

As they say, "all good things must come to an end", and that appeared to be the case for candles. In 1879 the light bulb was introduced as another form of light. Who wouldn't want the light bulb? It was easy to use, there was nothing to re-light, there was no worry about a wick burning out. The light bulb was the perfect next step in the evolution of humankind on earth. But, just because the light bulb came, didn't mean all the candles went into the garbage. Candles were still very useful, first and foremost, for those people that couldn't afford electricity. Also, the early electrical system was crude in its delivery, so quite often, mother nature could and did shut it down. So even those people with electricity held onto their candles, as a precaution for the weather.

Even though candles are no longer used for a primary source of light; their identity has been redefined, and along with that, a regrowth in the popularity of candles. Candles are now used more in terms of celebration, ceremonial, and religious occasions.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Candles