This page updated July 13, 2005
Many women, of course made their own candles. However, as there were limited occupations available to the widow; this provided a good way for them to make money to support their families. Candlemaking is an age old art form. From the earliest times candles were used as a source of light. Early candles were made from wax and pitch, waxes derived from various sources including seeds and insects.
Tallow was used for making later candles, although the smell was extremely unpleasant, and with the introduction of paraffin in the early 1800’s, tallow candles became obsolete and it is rarely used in candlemaking anymore. With the introduction of the light bulb in 1879, the use of candles declined drastically.
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