The History of Candle Making

Candle making has a rich history that dates back for many centuries. In fact, candle- making history goes as far back in time as the ancient Egyptians and throughout the Egyptian dynasty as a great deal of all other western and eastern civilizations. Tracing back to ancient Egyptians—the culture formed candles that were made out of beeswax as early as 3000 BC.

Candle Making Found Across The Globe

Subsequently, the Chinese created candles from whale fat during the Qin Dynasty in 221–206 BC. In early China and Japan, tapers were made with wax from insects and seeds and subsequently wrapped in paper. In India too, wax from boiling cinnamon was used for temple candles. During the first century AD, indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest fused oil from the eulachon, or "candlefish", for a means to make torches and candles.

 Candle Making During The Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages candles became more prevalent in worship. It was at this time that beeswax was used to make candles. This is prevalent among Franciscan monks and traditional monasteries as well as churches throughout the western worked. These beeswax candles were made much like the Romans made their candles with tallow. Beeswax was a drastic improvement from the tallow, but limited quantities were available, which made it expensive limiting it to clergy and the upper class.

Candle Making In The 18^th, 19^th and 20^th Centuries   

In the 18th century the whaling industry thrived and as a result, whale oil was available in large quantities. In lieu of the traditional beeswax Spermaceti wax was derived from the whale oil and was used as a replacement for tallow, beeswax, and bayberry wax. The spermaceti wax candle did emit a rather unpleasant smell but the wax was hard enough to hold shape in the hot summer months.

The 19th century was a defining time for the candles and candle making. The first patented candle making machines were introduced, which braught about a paradigm shift in candle making. The breakthrough of candle-making machines made candles more affordable and more accessible. As a result, candles started reaching the homes of all classes. It was also right around this same time that a chemist named Michael Eugene Chevreul identified for the first time that tallow or animal fat consisted of various fatty acids. One of the fatty acids he identified was stearine (stearic acid). In 1825, Chevreul and another chemist named Joseph Gay Lussac patented a process for candle making from crude stearic.  Following this innovation came the birth of braided wicks and paraffin candles, which were both invented in the mid 19^th century.

Candle Making In The Present Day