Amanda Bevan - candle maker and decorator

History of Candles and Candle Making

References to candles date back to ancient Egypt and throughout history, in different parts of the world, candlelight has been produced from a wide range of natural sources. However, it is the Romans who are credited with having produced the first ‘wick’ candles. In medieval times here, candles were used in great halls, monasteries and churches, and to light cottages and shops. Simple, smelly candles known as rush lights were made by dipping rushes into leftover kitchen fat. Beeswax, secreted by honeybees, was also used in chandlery, as well as the cheaper animal fat (tallow). Only the rich could afford beeswax candles, which gave off a brighter light, with little smoke or smell. By the sixteenth century, more homes had candles, usually sold by the pound (weight) in bundles of eight, ten or twelve. Everyday candles continued to be made from tallow; they were dark yellow and gave off a nasty smell. Another material which later became popular for candle making, was spermaceti which was produced from sperm whale oil. These candles burned very brightly and were the source of measurement for candlepower. They are no longer made, for environmental reasons. By the nineteenth century, candle-making machines were developed and the poorest people were able to afford candles. A substance present in tallow – now known as stearin – was extracted and developed. Harder than tallow, it burnt brighter and longer. With better wicks, plaited tightly, the used sections also burnt themselves out rather than falling into the wax. In 1850, paraffin wax was extracted from crude oil and is still widely used in candle making. When the light bulb was introduced in 1879, there was a decline in the candle- making industry but today, candles are again increasingly popular, both for light and decoration. In addition, the candle is still a powerful symbol in many religious ceremonies.