Have you ever wondered what life must've been like without a light source? Or, what a birthday cake would mean without its candles? Or perhaps, how you would soothe your senses or invoke a bit of romance without candles? Well, I have imagined it and went a step further and tried having a day without the use of an artificial light source; and I experienced many challenges and frustrations. Some time later, I spent the evening hours using only candles to do some simple tasks around my home, such as illuminate my home, read, and cook. Yet and still, I faced challenges and frustrations. I discovered a new appreciation for candles and the many symbolic purposes we have established for them.
The Middle Ages has been credited as the moment in time, in which the ancient Romans and Egyptians lit their chambers and halls by repetitively dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow (animal fat) or beeswax. While this is clearly not a candle, it is the foundation to the development of candles and the original means for the discovery of a light source aside from the sun. Additionally, the people during this period are coined as the first to utilize the antiquated lighting method to illuminate celebrations. Furthermore, without the aid of training or social media, this form of artificial lighting expanded to other countries like China and India.
Next, I began to wonder...how did we graduate from the use of tallow and beeswax and why would we? So, I searched for the answered and quickly discovered the impact and importance that cost and fragrance had on the use and selection of lighting fuel (tallow and beeswax). For instance, tallow, which expends a rancid aroma, was the common lighting fuel used to lighten European homes. In contrast, the expensive and fragrant beeswax was more commonly used for the affluent European households. So, together, we see that people were attentive to the need for light, the desire to appease our senses, and affordability. To date, our candle purchases continue to be influenced by cost, fragrance, and [now] color.
Furthermore, developments to improve artificial light continued in the Colonial period, an era in which the first standard candles and spermaceti wax was cultivated. Since the Colonial time various candle fuels were developed and used, to include paraffin wax, soy bean wax, and bayberry wax. However, cost and fragrance continued to be influential factors for the users and candle makers. Moreover, it wasn't until the 19th century that color and a candle's ability to burn cleanly becomes significant. Most notably, it was during the Colonial era that they learned the brightness of light was determined by the candle fuel being used. For instance, spermaceti wax provided a brighter light than that of tallow. or beeswax.
Now then, whether we choose a candle as a light source, for its color or fragrance, or how much it costs; the soy wax, a moderately priced candle fuel, proves to offer the best benefits today. Soy wax, developed in the 20th century, in comparison to beeswax, is less expensive, offers a cleaner burn, and is less likely to overheat.
