The Birth of Christmas Lights: A Bright Idea!
As soon as the air begins to chill, it seems as though every street is adorned with twinkling lights and colorfully illuminated ornaments. There is something truly magical about the way in which Christmas lights have become such a significant tradition all its own.
While the concept of Christmas lights is deeply rooted in religious symbolism, their practical application has been ever-evolving over the years. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating history of Christmas lights and the way in which they have evolved into the vibrant displays we see today.
As far as religious customs go, the use of light was always a significant aspect of Christian celebrations. While Christmas itself wasn’t formally declared a celebration until the 4th century, the idea of using candles to mark the occasion was a popular concept even before this time. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that the first electrically powered Christmas lights were invented, but the origins of the tradition go back quite a bit further.
It’s thought that the first use of illuminated Christmas decorations happened in Germany during the 17th century. Here, celebrators would attach small candles to the branches of their Christmas trees in order to set the scene for their festivities. While the effect was undoubtedly stunning, it was also incredibly dangerous. The combination of cloth and paper decorations alongside an open flame made for a recipe for disaster, and it wasn’t long before people began to search for safer alternatives.
The next leap in the evolution of Christmas lights came with the arrival of the first “safe” electric lights in the late 1800s. At this time, these lights were still too expensive for the average household to afford. They were predominantly used as a symbol of wealth and were displayed only by the most prosperous families.
It wasn’t until General Electric introduced the first string of Christmas lights in 1903 that they became a widespread household decoration. These lights were considerably cheaper than previous electric lighting options and provided a safe and convenient way to decorate indoors and out.
Since their widespread adoption, not much has changed in the fundamental design of Christmas lights. Bulbs have been refined over time to be smaller and more energy-efficient, but the general string-light design has remained the same.
A Twinkling Evolution: How Christmas Lights Have Changed Through the Years
What has changed over time, however, is the way in which people use these lights to decorate their homes and businesses. Throughout the mid-1900s, families would primarily use their Christmas lights to decorate their trees, wreaths, and exterior facades. However, as Christmas lights became cheaper and more accessible, people began to experiment with different ways to use them.
One of the most exciting changes in recent years has been the advent of synchronized Christmas lights. Rather than simply stringing lights up on a tree or around the door, people are using LED lights and computer programs to create enormous, dynamic light shows that are timed to music. These synchronized light shows can last for several minutes and involve hundreds or even thousands of lights.
The history of Christmas lights is one that is continuously evolving. From the humble beginnings of candle lit trees to the synchronized multicolor shows of today, there’s no telling what the future holds. What we can say is that the tradition of lighting the darkness during the festive season is one that is here to stay. I hope this brief history has provided some insight and appreciation for the way in which we use these bright, joyful lights to celebrate the holidays.