Candle Guide

The history of the candle is a testament to human ingenuity. Originating over 5,000 years ago, the earliest "candles" were developed by the , who used rushlights—reeds soaked in melted animal fat. It was the Romans who are credited with introducing the wick, creating the recognizable form used today.

The candle is a unique object that sits at the intersection of history, science, and metaphor. For millennia, it was a vital necessity; today, it has evolved into a symbol of comfort, spirituality, and personal expression. Candle

The intense heat vaporizes the liquid wax into a gas, which then reacts with oxygen to produce light, heat, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. The history of the candle is a testament to human ingenuity

Throughout the centuries, materials evolved from tallow (animal fat) to more refined waxes. In the 1850s, the introduction of —a petroleum-based substance—revolutionized the industry, making candles an affordable commodity for the masses because it burned cleanly and consistently. The Science of Combustion The candle is a unique object that sits

This process is not without its risks; researchers at Cram note that burning certain waxes, particularly paraffin, can release soot and volatile organic compounds like benzene into the air, which can impact indoor air quality.