Candle Making History Explains The Beginnings
The first candle started from wood and evolved to rushes and cords dipped in fat.
Candle making history originated upon man’s discovery on how to cook with the use of fire. The first men began to observe that the fat drenched into the fire resulted into brightness. Because of the first man’s cleverness, he concluded that animal fat could be used as a source of light. Would you believe that the first candles were simply flaming lumps of animal fat? This is how candle making history began.
It is definitely tough to recall the exact date of the origin of the first candles. The existing evidence of candle’s history is open to doubt. In the ancient times, the word “candle” means Torch or Lamp. While the word “Candlestick” pertains to a rack or stand to hold either the torch or the lamp.
Candle making history stated that the first candles were made from Tallow. It is the solid fat extracted from animals which can be found mostly in cattle or sheep. In 3000 B.C., the early evidences of candles were spotted in Greece and Egypt. Upon the surfacing of the Roman Empire, scientific experts started to discover evidences of the evolution of candles that triggered our awareness today.
Candle making history started with the plain heating of the tallow until it was liquefied. This was first done by the Romans. The next procedure was the pouring of the tallow into a wick tool; which, back then, was made from the pith of rushes and was perched from a horizontal rod.
Candle makers then would make use of their hands to smoothen the cooling tallow. During the time of the Romans, candles were not just used to serve as lights in their homes or to lead them toward their destination; but surprisingly, for their religious practices.
It was during this age that candles were linked with worship practices. As a matter of fact, priests were the one who manufactured beeswax candles that would be used in their rituals.
With the use of the Roman method, molten beeswax was plainly poured over a wick tool. As time passed by, the demands of the secular population went higher that made them formed Candle Guilds.
Back then, the only job of King Edward IV’s servants was to maintain a stock of grease and fat taken from animals after the slaughter; this would then be used for candle making.
In early eras, candles were made through suspending a couple of wicks from Broach; which is a long rod. Next up was pouring the liquefied tallow into a container while the wicks were dipped thrice. Afterwards, it would be hung on a rack and would wait for a few hours to dry. The dipping of candles would be repeatedly done until the preferred thickness was attained.
In the 15th century, candle making through the use of molds was initiated. In here, the wax was poured into hollow open-ended cylinders with a lid. Afterwards, the wick was placed in the mold and was put into place through the use of small wires. The wicks were pulled when the mold was already filled. Finally, the wax was allowed to cool for a couple of minutes before the wires could be removed.
Back in the old days, a good candle maker would blanch his candles through hanging them outdoors. The candles would have to be hung outside for about 8-10 days.
Surprisingly, all above mentioned events made up the candle making history; which we value until this modern age.
