The history of candle making in Chiswick and other areas of West London is a long and rich one. From the early days of candle making as a cottage industry to the modern candle shops that can be found in London today, the art of candle making has undergone many changes over the years.
The early years
The first recorded history of candle making in Chiswick dates back to the 17th century. At that time, Chiswick was a small village on the outskirts of London and candle making was a cottage industry. Local residents would make candles using tallow, which is a by-product of the meat industry. The tallow was melted down and poured into molds to create candles.
These candles were used for lighting in homes and churches, and were also used as a source of heat.
As the population of Chiswick and other areas of West London grew, so did the candle making industry. In the 18th century, the industrial revolution brought new technologies and methods to candle making. The use of wax, which was a by-product of the sugar industry, became more popular. The method of making candles by dipping a wick into hot wax was introduced, which allowed for the production of longer lasting and more consistent candles.
Mass candle production in Chiswick
The 19th century saw the rise of large candle making factories in Chiswick and other areas of West London. These factories used new technologies, such as steam power, to increase production and improve the quality of candles. The use of paraffin wax, which is a by-product of the oil industry, also became popular.
This type of wax was cheaper and easier to work with than other types of wax and was used to make candles that were more affordable for the average person.
For more information on the types of wax available, check out our blog here.
Candles became a luxury item
The 20th century saw the decline of the candle making industry in Chiswick and other areas of West London as the use of electricity and other forms of lighting became more widespread. However, the art of candle making has not been lost, and today there are still many candle shops in London that specialize in handmade candles.
One of these candle shops is Chiswick Candle Company, which specializes in creating handmade candles using soy wax - made in the traditional way - which is renewable. We also use aromatherapy-grade essential oils and fragrance oils to create scents that transport you to a moment of bliss.
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