Gypsy Camp Blog

Who started it all?

As many people already know, Thomas Edison invented the incandescent electric light. In the following year,’80, he decorated his Menlo Park, New Jersey office with Christmas lights. They were a topic of conversation. Inside Christmas tree lights were first introduced by a good friend of Edison, a Mr. Edward Johnson. He was the CEO of Edison’s company. Mr. Johnson made sure that New York City was illuminated with the new invention.

Mr. Johnson gained coverage in the local newspapers in’82, when he decorated an inside Christmas tree with sparkling lights. “Electric World” also carried the story of his lighted “handsomest Christmas tree in the United States”. In’84, the New York Times issue on December 27th carried a story of how Mr. Johnson had amused his family with the lighting of his six foot Christmas tree. For a more dramatic effect, Mr. Johnson used a motor invented by Thomas Edison that would make the tree revolve on its stand.

Not everyone could afford lights

Everyone was not able to join in on the new lighting invention. Basically, the cost for hiring an electrician and the prices of the lights themselves was just too much for most people. So, for the vast majority, small candles were still used to light their Christmas trees. There was, indeed, great danger involved in this type of tree lighting, but the tradition lasted until the 20th century for some.

It had always been feared that a fire would someday end the tradition of using the candlelight for decorating Christmas trees. And that fear came to pass in’17, when a tragic fire was caused by the candlelit tree in someone’s home. Immediately, novelty companies, and ultimately, General Electric began manufacturing electric tree lights that were affordable for everyone. By’30, most everyone was using them.

It would indeed seem strange, today, to see a tree lighted with candles, or a Christmas tree inside or out without the sparkling tree lights of the season. From year to year there are new innovations in ways to display lights. For example, many are using the new icicle lights to adorn their roof tops and it makes quite an impressive display. It is expensive to do, however, and quite a task. Therefore, some leave them on the roof year round, but of course, they don’t light them all year.

Christmas outdoor lights and more about mini outdoor christmas lights safety.

categories: outdoor christmas lights,Christmas,holidays,lighting,home,garden,family,culture,religion

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