The Evolution of the Candle

Candles were created by our ancestors centuries ago, not for decoration or fragrance, but simply to provide light in their homes. 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.

Different types of civilizations made different kinds 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 unique culture developed their own candles and used whatever indigenous resources and materials were available to them. As exploration and worldwide travel increased, which resulted in different cultures communicating and trading with each other, the base materials for candle-making became more and more standardized. Tallow, a wax obtained from animal fat, became commonly used, and beeswax became popular with members of higher society whom were capable of affording it.

Shortly after, candle making transformed into a profession, and a man known as a chandler began visiting homes to make people’s candles for them. Usually, people would provide their own tallow or beeswax, and the chandler just dipped wicks into the molds to form candles. Many of these chandlers also opened and maintained the first shops that sold candles. Candle molds soon became more developed, and paraffin, a concentrate of petroleum oil, was accepted as the foremost base for candles during the 19th century. After the 19th century, the manufacturing process was mechanized, which allowed candles to be mass-produced and affordable to the general public. This also resulted in more candles being bought from shops that they were being made at home.

When modern electrical lighting systems were developed, the role of candles as the main sources of light diminished. Candles were widely adopted as an important component in various religious rites, but they were no longer critically needed in private 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. Fragrance became a critical factor in a candle’s allure, and the candle acquired a whole new ‘flavor’.

Today, the popularity of candles continues to escalate, with established stores in shopping malls and even on the Internet offering a huge selection of candles for customers. They’ve become an important aspect of décor in more than 70% of all American homes, and they have also been accepted as a fashionable gift idea for both men and women. Candles are now one of the top choices for being an inexpensive way to add charm to the 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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