Christmas Tree Lights

Christmas tree lights first came into the picture in the 1880s. Just like most electrical things during this time, they were invented by Thomas Edison. The first use of the electrical Christmas tree lights was used by a friend of Thomas Edison, Edward H. Johnson. He was also the president of the company that Edison formed to light New York City. Johnson’s tree was considered beautiful and elegant. It made many appearances in magazines and newspapers and was considered a marvel. The Christmas tree had been granted many articles about it and people everywhere wanted to see it. Edison’s company then tried to sell electric Christmas lights, however, they did not become immediately popular. The cost of the lights and the costs to hire an electrician to install them was out of the reach of the general public. However, wealthy people would hold Christmas tree parties to show off electric lighting. And Grover Cleveland reportedly ordered a White House Christmas tree that was lit with Edison bulbs in 1895. In most of the general homes of the general public, Christmas trees were decorated not with lights, but with small candles. However, these candles, for obvious reasons, were not a good choice. The people were putting little sticks of fire on their trees, not a good idea. The use of Christmas tree lights was not common until the start of the 20th century. These Christmas tree lights also were not the product of Thomas Edison, but of a young man named Albert Sadacca. This young man made them in his basement at a much more affordable price.

http://history1800s.about.com/od/electricity/a/electricxmas.htm