Candles were invented several millennia ago to illuminate the world for our ancestors. There was nothing fancy or scented about the candles they made; certainly nobody in those days even thought about accessorizing their homes with candles! They were initially molded solely to serve that single purpose, nothing more. Many different civilizations from all over the world developed different types of candles. The candles that were made depended on the uniqueness of the people who formed them, and the environment that they were created in directly affected their formation. Each culture relied on whatever resources were naturally occurring to develop their unique type of candle. As exploration and worldwide travel increased, which resulted in different cultures communicating and trading with each other, the base for candles gradually became more universalized. Tallow became more commonly used, although beeswax was also popular with the higher members of society who could afford it. Shortly after, candle making transformed into a profession, with “chandlers” going from house to house making candles for people. Usually, people would provide their own tallow or beeswax, dipping wicks to craft tapers in exchange for payment. These chandlers were also responsible for opening the first stores that sold candles. Candle molds soon became more developed, and paraffin slowly but surely began to replace tallow as the foremost base for candle-making. Soon after, the manufacturing process was mechanized, which allowed candles to be mass-produced and affordable to the general public. This also resulted in candles being purchased in retail shops more frequently than they were homemade. When modern electrical lighting systems were developed, the candle was suddenly replaced as the sole source of artificial illumination. Candles were widely adopted as an important component in various religious rites, but they no longer played a major role in homes. People didn’t abandon the candle altogether, though, since they were relied upon during power failures and on many occasions and celebrations. In the 1980’s there was a great resurgence of the candle’s prominence, particularly in America. It became fashionable to decorate with candles. Candle makers began producing a motley array of candles, developing candles in a great variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. The candle’s fragrance also became a critical ingredient in making and selling them, thus creating a whole new “flavor”. Candles today have become more popular than ever, with established stores in shopping malls and even on the Internet offering a huge selection of candles for customers. An estimated 70% of homes in the United States use candles as part of their home décor, and they have also been accepted as a fashionable gift idea for both men and women. Candles are now one of the top choices if you want to add some delightful charm to your home or create a fragrant ambience to reduce stress in an increasingly hectic world. The modern candle today is hardly recognizable from its simple origin as a basic necessity. ----------
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Candles were invented several millennia ago to illuminate the world for our ancestors. There was nothing fancy or scented about the candles they made; certainly nobody in those days even thought about accessorizing their homes with candles! They were initially molded solely to serve that single purpose, nothing more.
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