The first electric lights
As many people already know, Thomas Edison invented the incandescent electric light. In the following year, 1880, 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.
Much publicity was given to Mr. Johnson in the local newspapers at Christmas of 1882. It was that year that he decorated a six foot Christmas tree with sparkling lights. The magazine, “Electric World” also published this noteworthy event and described his as the “handsomest tree in the United States. The New York Times picked up the story In 1884, describing how Mr. Johnson amused his children when he first lit the six foot illuminated tree. Earlier in the previous years, Mr. Edison had invented a motor that Mr. Johnson decided to use to make the tree even more fascinating, by making it revolve on its base.
Some families didn’t get to have Christmas lights right away
As thrilled as they were with the new Christmas tree lighting idea, no everyone could afford it. An electrician was needed and the cost of the lights alone made it cost prohobitive for them. So, the small lighted candles were still used by the majority of the population. Using the lighted candles was a fire hazard, but the tradition of using them on Christmas trees continued into the 20th century.
What had been people’s worst fear occured in New York City in 1917, when the candles caused a tragic fire in a family’s home. After that instance, novelty and electric companies began to manufacture the new electric strings of lights, along with General Electric. By 1930, electric Christmas tree lights were available and affordable for all.
It is a rareity today to see a Christmas tree that is not adorned with beautiful, sparkling electric lights. Sometimes a tree is beautifully decorated and then spotlighted for emphasis, but electric Christmas tree lights are the vogue. Each year, something new and innovative is introduced in the lighting market. Particularly interesting are the new icicle lights that are stretched around the edges of rooftops. Be aware that it is an expensive way of decorating though, so much so, that many people leave them up year around.
Christmas outdoor lights and more about mini outdoor christmas lights safety.
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