A Brief History of CandlesOut of Necessity:There is no record of the first candle being used although candles are referenced in the bible dating back as early as the tenth century BC.Candles came into existence out of the simple need for light. The earliest candles were mainly only available to the wealthy and the most common were made from animal fat. You could imagine what these early candles smelled like! Later on, they found that burning beeswax and spermaceti (oil found in the head cavities of sperm whales) produced a much brighter flame than animal fat. In fact, the burning of a spermaceti candle was so bright that it was used to create the standard measure of light, hence one candlepower.
Candle Development:It wasn't until the 15th century that candles were being poured into molds for production. But the real advances came in the early 18th century.The 18th century saw the invention of candle molding machines, the addition of stearic acid to harden the wax, the braided wick, and the production of paraffin wax. Bayberries were also used to produce candle wax. The bayberries were boiled and then the wax was skimmed off and collected. The smell these candles gave off when extinguished was probably what gave rise to the modern scented candles. Today with electricity fulfilling our need for light, the candle has taken on a new role in society.
The Candle's New Role:Candles continue to play an important role in households around the world. Though still an emergency source of light, its main role has changed to a source of ambience.The soft glow and captivating aromas produced by today’s scented candles help to reduce stress and make our homes a pleasant vacation from the stresses of our everyday work lives. Whether using its light to set the mood for a romantic dinner, or its aroma when relaxing in the tub, candles are a true luxury for our stressed out lives.
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Scented Soy Wax Candles - Information for candle lovers! |