DECEMBER 22nd - The Advent of Christmas Lights



On this day in 1882, Edward Hibberd Johnson strung some special Christmas tree bulbs that he had made for him while he was the VP of the Edison Electric Light Company on his Christmas tree at his home in New York. Prior to this invention people used candles to light up their trees. Candles. As in fire. On a tree. I think I would just appreciate the tree during the day time. So Edward H. Johnson, who otherwise would have been known as a mere footnote for hiring Thomas Edison, became the Father of Electric Christmas Tree Lights. It’s not the most life-changing invention of all time, but its cultural significance is right up there with the George Foreman Grill. And while I’m certain somebody would have figured that using fire in such close proximity to wood was probably a bad idea, I think the sooner that was established the better. So Eddie Johnson is a-okay in my book. There is probably also some poignant phrase that could be written about the invention of lights on what is traditionally the Winter Solstice or the longest night of the year--making it the darkest day of the year. Something like...the shining of the of those lights on Johnson’s tree cut through the darkest day of the year to fill America with the spirit of love and caring that is so entwined with Christmas. Something like that. Of course I’m just happy Johnson figured out a way to keep from having dumbasses light their trees on fire.

This day has been Marked.

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