vol.025：How a Flame Changed Humanity：Candle
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vol.025：How a Flame Changed Humanity：Candle
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The source provides an extensive overview of the history, technological evolution, and societal impact of the candle. It begins by establishing the candle as a revolutionary illumination tool that predates the lightbulb, detailing its origins from ancient Egyptian rush lights and early Chinese whale fat candles to the Roman invention of the wicked candle and medieval use of beeswax. A significant portion of the text analyzes the technical limitations of traditional lighting methods like pine torches and oil lamps, emphasizing their issues with short burn times, excessive smoke, and safety hazards, which severely restricted ancient social and economic activities. The source highlights key innovations that modernized the candle, such as Michel Eugène Chevreul's discovery of stearic acid and Joseph Morgan's mechanization of production, which led to the inexpensive, clean-burning paraffin candle. Finally, it explores the deep cultural and economic influence of candles, noting their symbolic role in various religious ceremonies and global festivals like birthdays and Diwali, while also documenting the modern, multi-billion-dollar candle industry that supports regional economies and drives global trade.