Before the invention of electric lighting, candles and oil lamps were commonly used for illumination. In areas without electricity, they are still used routinely. Until the 20th century, candles were more common in northern Europe. In southern Europe and the Mediterranean, oil lamps predominated.
In the developed world today, candles are used mainly for their aesthetic value and scent, particularly to set a soft, warm, or romantic ambiance, for emergency lighting during electrical power failures, and for religious or ritual purposes. Scented candles are used in aromatherapy. Some have even gone so far as to make candles scented with racing two-stroke motorcycle oil.
Methods of making Candle Wax
Materials:
- Paraffin wax (China brand)
- Polyethylene wax (Japan brand)
- Thread (for candle wick)
- Mold
- Technical dye (desired color)
Procedure:
- To 500 g. paraffin wax, add 125 g. polyethylene wax and melt in low fire.
- If using mold of desired sizes, pour melted wax preparation into forming device and allow to harden. To facilitate hardening bath the mold with water. Be sure that the thread is properly placed at the center of the mold.
- If using the drip method, prepare the wick in advance by dripping it in a prepared melted materials and allow to harden.
- Place melted materials in a container that will allow the complete dripping of the wick.
- Drip the prepared wick one after the other in an interval that will allow the wick to accumulate wax.
- Continue the dripping until the desired size of candle is obtained.
Source: en.wikipedia.org