Candles, in past centuries and not all that long ago, were a necessity of life allowing people to be more active after sundown. To this day where electricity or gas is unavailable, some dwellings are still dependent on candles for their light. No one knows for sure where candles originated or exactly when. It could be argued that the first fire could be considered a candle-like light source that burnt a fuel and emitted light. It is thought that the ancient Egyptians were the first to use candle-like light sources made by soaking the pithy core of river reeds in tallow. Other primitive light sources were made of wood strips or dried plants soaked in animal fat or pine tar.

Romans are believed to have been the first to develop candles with wicks, consisting of tallow derived from such animal fat as cow, sheep and pig. These crude smokey, dirty burning candles were mediocre light sources possessing an undesirable acrid odor. Thirteenth century Paris brought the first guild of Chandlers (candle makers) that traveled from house to house making candles from fats collected and saved, typically as a result of cooking by the residents. The Fifteenth century brought the use of molds for candle making. It was sometime during the Middle Ages that beeswax, an insect derived wax secreted by honey bees for the construction of their honey combs, also began to be used for candles. Candles made from beeswax were notably cleaner and longer burning without emitting an acrid odor.

Due to the high expense of beeswax candles, they were primarily used by religious factions and those wealthy enough to afford them. Tallow remained the commoner's candle wax.

Various cultures around the world produced different methods of generating portable light. Such practices as burning impaled high fat content fish and birds created a light source. American colonists boiled the berries of the bayberry bush to extract the sweet smelling wax that was then used to make candles. This process was too tedious and involved, making bayberry wax candles impractical.

The Eighteenth century brought new technology to seagoing vessels enabling the economical hunting of whales. Spermaceti wax obtained from whales became popular in candle making and was blended with tallow and beeswax to make candles harder. It is said that the first "standard" candles were made from spermaceti wax.

Developments in the Nineteenth century led to the consistent mass production of candles. Joseph Morgan unveiled his continuous candle making machine in 1834 producing 1,500 candles per hour. 1850 brought the byproduct paraffin, a left over material from the newly created crude oil refining industry. As a commodity, paraffin became extremely economical, and when mixed with stearic acid, produced a usable candle. By the end of the century most candles were made with paraffin and stearic acid.

Candles were destined to lose their reign as King of Light in mankind's darkness with the introduction of the kerosene lamp in 1857 and the light bulb in 1879. They now experienced a secondary role as a light source and were saved for emergencies.

The latter part of the Twentieth century saw the latest development in candle making. After over 140 years of petroleum dominating candle wax, the late 1990s brought a new type of wax to the industry. A method was developed by a company called "Nature's Gifts, Inc." to turn vegetable oil into wax, producing an environmentally friendly candle that burns cleaner and longer than paraffin. To date, candles made from soybean wax have become the leading desirable alternative to paraffin candles.

Candles have enjoyed a renewed growth in popularity and are estimated to be currently used in seven out of ten households. In today's world candles are no longer required as a utility light source; they have taken on a different role. One of relaxation, romance, nostalgia, ceremony, ambience and decor. People of all ages worldwide can and do enjoy the warmth and beauty that is the candle.