History of Lantern Lights

History of Lantern Lights 

Mankind's earliest sources of light depended on what was available as it evolved over
the years. When ancient men were living in caves, a form of light source was to burn
handfuls of moss, soaked in animal fat, in hallowed out rocks; ancient African societies
burned oily nuts in clay saucers for light. During the Iron Age and days of King David,
the Canaanite Oil Lamp saucer lamp was used from 1500 BC to 600 BC.
Documentation of terra-cotta Herodian oil lamps from 50 BC to AD 50 showed it was
used during the ministry of Jesus. Until the 1700s, oil lamps, or oil lanterns, and candles
were the only source of light until petroleum was developed. After that, not only did the
kerosene lamp, or kerosene lantern, light up an area more, but lasted longer than earlier
light sources. All during history, the trial-and-error of developing efficient light sources
have been a goal of humanity, with many markets still available for these historical
lighting sources.
The non-electric lanterns used for light were discovered thousands of years ago, and
are still used today in the form of candle lanterns, oil pots, kerosene lanterns, or oil
lamps. The oil lantern was developed as an alternative to candles and is considered a
historical forerunner to modern day electricity. Used for homes, temples and public
buildings, these early lanterns are considered the oldest industries of mankind.

Early lantern wicks were located in an encased form of many types, dipped in a
combustion material such as oil or kerosene that would light up when lit to form light.
Many types of wicks showed the age of each early lanterns – papyrus, ordinary rush,
linen, and flax. But always the lanternsʼ developments were connected to a strong need
for more efficient sources of lighting. Striving to improve on the candle lanterns and oil
lamps which emitted lots of smoke and fumes, mankind also worked on a product that
would put out more light. Because of this, oil lamps and kerosene lanterns were
developed.

Ancient Roman Lanterns 

Around 509 B.C., the Roman Civilization was established with its basic units consisting
of the family. Roman households produced Roman lanterns which could be filled with
olive oil on lanterns designed with Roman motifs on the lamp bodies. The design of
winged-Cupids playing a flute while riding a dolphin was part of the original Roman
lamps later found in Fishbourne, England. (Reproduction Ancient Roman Lamps - Early
Rome) Made of terracotta and fueled by olive oil, the Roman lanterns were used for
artificial lighting in homes, funerals and ceremonial purposes, considered a main light
source for many years.

Whale Oil Lanterns 

The first human use of whale oil was in oil lamps and for candle wax. Whale oil was
considered a liquid wax, even though it was not true oil in the normal sense. It had the
advantages of a clear honey golden color and an ability to flow easily. Over time it was
found that whale oil from the sperm whale burned brighter and much less odor than of
the right whale oil.
One large whale was able to produce three tons of whale tallow from which the whale oil
was processed. The whale oil and blubber was originally used by the aboriginal people
of the Northwestern Pacific, considered the first animal product to be used commercially
that was easily affordable to the masses. (Whale Oil, 2004)

Candle Lanterns and Paper Lanterns

Both paper lanterns and candle lanterns are known to throw off a very dim light during
the evening or night time, with paper lanterns made from rice paper, paper bags,
collapsible bamboo, metal hoops covered in paper, or bamboo sticks with a candle
inside. The candle lanterns were made from a metal box or a round cylinder with glass
panels, with a fitted candle inside. The top of the box has small opening or ventilated
cover to allow the candle's flame to remain lit. Both types of lanterns are known to be
designed with geometric shapes and go back a long ways in history. Ancient Chinese
were known to capture fireflies in transparent containers for use as lanterns for a short
time.
The candle lantern was seen as far back as ancient Asia, with the Asian pagoda candle
lantern considered one of the most sacred objects in Asia. The pagoda was built as part
of the Buddhist temple or monastery, a place to worship or as a shrine for holy objects.
(Pagoda Lanterns, 2010) Inside the pagoda was a candle or votive while the pagoda
was made of rice paper about 18" by 11".

Paper lanterns are part of American history and seen in many styles and forms. Early
farmers used paper lanterns when checking cattle at night or tavern owners would use
them to greet travelers when coaches would pull up at late hours. Soldiers in the Civil
War had nothing but candle lanterns to use, designed specifically so the wind would not blow out the candle light when the men were in the open. (The History of the Candle
Lantern) Light at its best was still in the primitive form by the end of the 17th century, but
paper lanterns were considered a mainstay for society at this time.
Decorative paper lanterns are traditionally used for cultural celebrations and festivals
such the Chinese New year. Today, paper lanterns are used for almost every occasion,
from weddings to parties, as paper lanterns now come in almost every imaginable
colors, shapes, and sizes.

Development of Kerosene 

The first kerosene lantern was designed in the 9th century in Baghdad, with the wick
lantern and pressure lantern coming out of this discovery. In the United States and
Europe, the early days of history showed the majority of people living in small farms or
in small towns outside of the larger cities, using candle lanterns, paper lanterns or oil
lanterns as their main light source.
The 1846 invention of the kerosene lantern by Abraham Gesner was a huge
improvement on lighting as compared to the days when "Indians of the Northwest
natives caught and dried oolakan or candlefish, and used them as lamps stuck into a
lump of clay, or carried them around in the fork of a stick." (Exposition, 1904) A native of
Nova Scotia, Gesner was trained as a medical doctor but was considered one of the
primary founders of the petroleum industry when he immigrated to the United States. He
had developed and patented a process for manufacturing kerosene, which would lead to
the development of the kerosene lamp.
By the time 1860 arrived, the development of kerosene lanterns had improved on the
light quality that had been used for hundreds of years. John D. Rockefeller was the first
American to consolidate petroleum refining which made kerosene available for
everybody in society instead of oil, even though he was considered as "one of the bad
boys of late Victorian capitalism." (Bock, 2003)
The road from terracotta clay pots filled with olive oil to kerosene lanterns that are still
used today was a long one, but necessary to the eventual development of electricity.
Yet when electricity and power goes out today because of storms or power outages, the
first thing used is a kerosene lantern of some sort and candles, tools of yesterday for
today.