All About Christmas Lights

A brief history from the 1880s through today

Christmas decorations have been around since the holiday was first celebrated, but the first Christmas lights were not used until 1882, three years after Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. It was an associate of Edison's who strung electrical lights on a Christmas tree in his New York City home, creating a display that caused quite a sensation.

The 1900s

In 1903, the General Electric Company introduced pre-wired sockets to the general public and attempted to patent the idea of Christmas lights. When the patent was refused, the market was flung wide open, and commercial Christmas lights were suddenly for sale everywhere. At first, the sets were so expensive that they were often rented rather than sold. Interestingly, the main thrust of the marketing of Christmas lights was that they were safer than candles on the tree; but the early bulbs burned so hot that they were just as much of a fire hazard. In those days, was a real status symbol if you could afford lights and the maintenance they required.

The Roaring Twenties and The Depression

Throughout the next 20 years, Christmas lights evolved and were created by multiple companies, resulting in various types of lights at various prices. By the 1920s, Christmas lights were being made with cheaper, more efficient tungsten instead of carbon filament bulbs.

The Depression saw Americans doing their best to save money everywhere, and as most factories were turned over to the war effort, imported Christmas lights became available on the market. Through World War I and World War II, many people chose to save their lights and wrap them up carefully for use next season. This accounts for the wide variety of vintage Christmas lights from the war years that can still be found today.

The 1950s through today

Since the 1950s, Christmas lights have been a staple in most holiday displays. Miniature fairy lights, introduced in the early 50s, have become the standard fingertip-sized lights used almost everywhere. With the evolution of production and the innovation of millions of designers throughout the years, we now have a wide selection of Christmas lights, such as icicle lights and lights in almost every color imaginable.

Christmas lights are a great tradition... and destined to remain so. Since the early days of candles, Americans have loved illuminating their homes for the holidays. Christmas lights have become an indispensable part of that joyful custom.

More information on Christmas decorations