Abstract:
From ancient times candles have been important
as sources of light, and although they were
replaced first by kerosene lamps and later by incandescent
electric lamps, their use has actually
expanded because of their ornamental value. In
spite of the technical progress in lighting, the
term "candle power" is used as a unit for measuring
the brilliance of any given light.
Candles were manufactured by moulding a
blend of fats and wax around a flax or cotton
wick and so are their modern varieties. Machines
have replaced manual labour, new wax
formulations have been introduced for decorative
effects. The first waxes used were mutton
tallow and beeswax.
