Christmas Light Art Part 2

Around the middle of the 17th century, small candles were used to light up and decorate the Christmas tree. This slowly became a tradition, first in Germany and later in Europe.

At first, the candles were adhered to the tree with melted wax or pins, but around 1890 the first candleholders were used for Christmas candles and in the early 1900s they were placed in small lanterns and glass balls.

Emigrants brought the tradition to North America and Australia and the candles were replaced by lights after electricity became available. The Savoy Theatre in London was the first building in the world which was lit entirely by electric lights in 1881.

Edward H. Johnson, who was an associate of inventor Thomas Edison, displayed the first Christmas tree illuminated with specifically for him designed, electrical lights in 1882. He was called the Father of Electric Christmas Tree Lights and around 1900, businesses started stringing up Christmas lights behind their windows.

Since Christmas lights were a little too expensive for the common people, it wasn't until the mid 1950s when the lights found their way into the average households. It didn't end there; it was actually the beginning of uses for Christmas lights, other then the tree.

Which usage? Take a stroll through the neighborhood and you will find plenty of good examples!