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February 2008 - NewsletterCandle History InformationThere is very little known about the origin of candles. It is often written that the first candles were developed by the Ancient Egyptians who used rush lights, or torches, made by soaking the pithy core of reeds in molten tallow. The rush lights had no wick like a candle. It is the Romans who are credited with developing the wick candle, using it to aid travelers at dusk, and lighting homes and places of worship at night. It was not until the Middle Ages when beeswax, a substance secreted by honey bees to make their honeycombs was introduced. Beeswax candles were a marked improvement over those made with tallow, for they did not produce a smoky flame, or emit an acrid odor when burned. Instead, beeswax candles burned pure and clean. However, they were expensive and therefore, only the wealthy could afford them. Soon came the twentieth century where candle manufacturing was further enhanced through the growth of US oil. With the increase of crude oil, also came an increase in the by-products that are the base ingredients of contemporary candles - paraffin and stearic acid. No longer man's major source of light, candles continue to grow in popularity and use. Now in the twenty-first century, we have all natural candles. These candles are cleaner burning, dramatically decreasing the amount of soot emissions. In addition, these candles are often more fragrant. Natural and Soy Candles Gain In Popularity From ancient times to the discovery of electricity and beyond, more than 5,000 years altogether, candles have played important roles in our ceremonies, celebrations, and homes. Over the years, a variety of ingredients, including waxes from plants, bayberry bushes, sperm whale oil and paraffin, have been used as sources of light. In recent years, the Indiana Soybean Board (ISB), with promotional support from the United Soybean Board (USB), and soybean checkoff, has led the charge to further develop soy-based candles. In the United States alone, more than l billion pounds of wax are used to produce candles each year. In l998, soy candles were first introduced in the United States after several years of research. Today, soy candles make up approximately five to seven percent of the 2 billion dollars worth of candles sold in the United States annually, and the market is rapidly growing. There has been a slow decline in the supply of petroleum-based paraffin in the United States, the key ingredient used in candles. This decline is occurring due to three primary reasons. First, the automobile industry. With automobile manufacturing coming under tighter requirements by the federal government to produce better running and cleaner burning engines, they have taken up the once large supply of higher quality lubricants. These lubricants were originally being used by candle companies across the nation as a fuel before being replaced by paraffin. Secondly, China's rapidly growing population and increased demand for petroleum have further contributed to a shortage of petroleum-based paraffin. And finally, consumers and our government's interest in reusable resources and cleaner air have reduced the demand on petroleum paraffin. Today's homeowners want cleaner, longer burning candles. Soy candles don't leave behind a sooty residue and they also burn up to fifty percent longer than traditional candles. Soy candles also have a lower melting point, allowing for superior scent dispersion at lower manufacturing costs. The goal is to educate the public and help produce soy-based candles. Soy candles help support America's soybean farmers with a great value-added product for their crop. LSH Ventures, Inc. Collinsville, MS 39325 USA 601-626-7126 © Copyright 2008 - LSH Ventures, Inc. |
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