Gas Light

Outdoor lights have come a long way since they were first used in early 15th century, when people used beeswax, fish oil and other substances to light their lanterns. At that time there were no permanent gas lights to speak of, but the then mayor of London, Sir Henry Barton, ruled that all citizens were to hang lanterns with lights from their homes during the winter evenings. This habit was followed quickly by other large cities, with Paris being lit in 1524. For more than 200 years, large cities and small rural communities were ordering their citizens to hang oil lamps during the evening hours with monetary penalties for those who disobeyed.

The First Gas Lights

In 1792, William Murdoch, a British engineer and inventor, utilized the flammability of manufactured gas to light his cottage and changed the way the civilized world lived. After lighting his cottage, William Murdoch began to experiment with different types of natural gas and determined that the gas produced from coal was the most effective fuel available. William then devised a system which allowed him to light the main building of the Soho Foundry, where he worked in 1798 and then the outside of the foundry in 1802. This first public display of gas lights left the public in awe – especially foundry employee Samuel Clegg – who instantly saw the vast potential for gas lighting.

Taking it to the Streets

It wasn't long before city governments began to take notice of the potential of gas lights. The first public street to be lit with gas lights was Pall Mall, London in 1807. In 1812, parliament granted a charter to the Gas Light and Coke Company as the world's first gas company and on December 31, 1813, the Westminster Bridge was fully lit using gas lights.

The use of gas lights on city streets spread quickly and first came to America in the city of Baltimore in 1816. Other cities throughout America followed soon behind, with the White House being lit in 1848 and by 1914, considered by many gas light experts to be the peak year for “incandescent” gas lamps, lamp lighters were out in nearly every city street relighting the city's gas lights.

A Quick Decline

During the early 20th century, electric lights began to see a rise in popularity. Most cities saw that you could light city street much more cheaply with electric lighting and quickly made the switch. By 1930, San Francisco dimmed its last street light, putting an end to gas lights in nearly every city in America.

A Resurgence and Death

Gas lights in America saw their peak popularity in the 1960's with estimated sales surpassing 500,000 – far more than the “peak” year of 1914. The increase in gas lights' popularity was attributed to the rise in popularity of outdoor living, including backyard barbecues and late-night parties. Unfortunately this resurgence in popularity was to be short lived. In 1978, the Fuel Use Act (FUA) was passed, completely extinguishing any use of gas lights throughout the country.

A Slow Rebirth

In 1987, the US Government repealed the FUA and gas lights began to slowly make their way back to city streets and homes. Fortunately, with the help of utilities, the sale of gas lights has been growing steadily each year since. The most successful areas today for gas light sales are where the local utility, such as builder sales, retail merchandisers or gas lightrelight programs, are involved in spurring gas light interest. Another factor in gas lights' popularity is the use of gas-saving and light dimming devices, such as electronic ignition gas lights and gas light regulators, which are a huge draw for the more energy-conscious consumers.

Today, natural gas and propane gas lights are beginning to be seen more and more throughout America. Even some major cities are commissioning the use of gas lights in areas, such as Cincinnati's residential neighborhoods, New Orleans' French Quarter and South Orange New Jersey, where the gas light has been adopted as the town symbol.

Gas light sales continue to grow and do not look to be slowing any time soon. Aluminum gas lights are seeing a huge increase in popularity due to their afordability and durability to the elements, though today, the most popular types of gas light are the more “upscale” models, such as copper and brass, with open flame burners which have become more popular in commercial settings both indoors and out.