Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => Famous Scientists, Doctors and Inventors => Topic started by: Karen W. on 20/01/2008 20:44:43

Title: Who invented the candlestick?
Post by: Karen W. on 20/01/2008 20:44:43

Well I am talking about the candlestick as we know it now with a wick and wax. Does anyone know?

Title: Who invented the candlestick?
Post by: Vcoolspice on 26/02/2008 14:24:29

Candles were first mentioned as early as the tenth century BCE. These early candles were made of wicks stuck into containers filled with a flammable material.

The first dipped candles were made by the Romans from rendered animal fat called tallow. Since tallow is cheap and easily available, tallow candles were the most widely used types of candles for centuries.

In the 1500's, beeswax was introduced as an alternative to tallow. Beeswax candles burn brighter and longer with less smoke, and they smell better than tallow candles. However, beeswax was more difficult to obtain, which meant that beeswax candles were used almost exclusively by the upper classes and the Church in Europe during this time. All candles were made by dipping until the 1400's, when a French inventor introduced molds for taper candles.

Wicking can be made from almost any kind of fiber; one of the most common in early days was loosely spun cotton.


More information: http://www.candles.org/about_history.html