Add Some Light To Your Life With Candles

Candles first served as the main source of lightfrom spermaceti, a wax which was crystallized
for early civilization. They have made manysperm whale oil. These candles had an even
changes through the years. The candles of todaybetter odor and would not bend and soften in
are not the same candles from hundreds ofwarm weather.
years ago.In 1834, a machine was invented which mass
Before the introduction of wicks, early Egyptiansproduced molded candles. By 1850, we were using
lit their reed torches by soaking them in moltenparaffin wax made from oil and coal shale. It was
tallow, which is fat from sheep or cattle. Romansprocessed by distilling residues of crude petroleum
later developed wick candles which they dippedrefinement. Soon after, stearic acid was added to
into the tallow.the paraffin wax and these are still the basic
By the Middle Ages, beeswax was being used iningredients of today's candles.
the making of some candles. The candles burnedToday, we have many kinds of candles to choose
cleaner than tallow and had a more pleasant odorfrom. We have candles in all different shapes,
than the tallow candles. However, they weresizes, and scents. Not only do candles add soft
more costly and only the wealthy could affordlight to our home décor, they also add
them.tantalizing aromas which can affect our moods.
In Colonial times, the settlers found they could boilWe have many aromatherapy candles to help us
berries from the bayberry bush to make a sweetfeel better. And how about those candles which
smelling and clean burning wax for their candles.bring back childhood memories-There's nothing like
Unfortunately, it was tedious work and it tooka deliciously scented chocolate chip cookie or apple
many berries to make just one candle.cinnamon candle to warm up your kitchen on a
By the 18th century, candles were being madecold winter day!