The first Christmas tree with lights, by Edward H. Johnson from 25 Dec. 1882 (via US National Park Service)
Tis' the season when you can see lit Christmas trees in windows, rows of houses with glowing Santa with his reindeer on the front lawn. Lights blink and dazzle, occasionally set to dance to Christmas themed music, but who came up with the original string of Christmas lights that we horde today for special occasions? While Thomas Edison came up with miniature lamps, his friend and business associate, Edward H. Johnson invented the first string of Christmas lights, which he debuted on Christmas day in 1882. Not only did Johnson's tree light up with 6 sets of stringed lights of different colors, but he also used a motor to rotate the tree and even devised a mechanism to make the lights blink. This is pretty impressive for 1882 when electricity was still a novel concept.
In fact, many people were skeptical of using electricity at all, especially as a form of lighting. Christmas lights remained a luxury for the wealthy until the early 20th century.
The design for the lights was based upon Edison's miniature lamps and Johnson worked closely with Edison, later becoming the President of Thomas Edison's Illumination Company. However, Johnson gets credit because he was the first to use lights to decorate a Christmas tree. Traditionally, wax candles were used to light trees, which is ironic because people were afraid the electric bulbs would set their house on fire. While such things are possible, I would bet my money on open candle flames as a bigger fire hazard.
Johnson led a particularly interesting life as he first served as the assistant to William Jackson Palmer, helping to construct the Kansas Pacific Railroad from Kansas City, MO to Denver, CO. Later, Johnson gave Edison his first start when Johnson hired a 24 year old Edison to work for the Automatic Telegraph Company. Edison wasn't the only young talent that Johnson recruited as he rounded up electrical geniuses like Frank J. Sprauge, Charles W. Batchelor and Francis R. Upton. This team of partners worked together as associates in various companies including the Edison Electric Lamp Company and what later became General Electric.
While Johnson's first rendition of his Christmas lights were created by hand, they were initially mass produced under Edison General Electric Company which offered strings of 9 carbon filament lights. It wasn't until Albert Sadacca, the head of a lighting company, pushed a major Christmas light campaign that the quintessential decoration became a mainstay in the 1930's. The reason for the final public decision to switch to electric lights was the number of tragic fires caused by candle-lit trees – very unsurprising.
If Howard Johnson put his Christmas Light invention on Kickstarter today, if his campaign would be successful. Technology adoption is indeed fascinating, especially when you have beautiful invention created for the sole purpose of aesthetics and enjoyment. Now, it's time to sit by the fire with some egg nog in hand and stare placidly at the lit Christmas tree as my vision becomes progressively hazy from Bourbon and merriment. Happy Holidays Everyone!
C
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