Christmas Light DisplaysChristmas Light Displays: How Modern Displays Began
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In the year 1882, a man by the name of Edward H. Johnson created the first electrically lit Christmas tree with Christmas light displays. Previously lace decorated candles were used but were considered a danger to the special lit trees. Edward H. Johnson was an associate of Thomas Edison; and also was the vice-president of the Edison Electric Light Company. This was an electric utility company in New York City during that period which eventually evolved into the famous General Electric Company. In 1910, General Electric was America’s largest manufacturer that designed miniature Christmas bulbs, eventually changing them to perfectly round shapes in assorted colors. Christmas light displays eventually changed into colors that are available today: amber, purple, blue, and milk glass.
Edward H. Johnson’s brightly lit Christmas tree at his personal home in New York City was special hand-wired with 80 of the red, white and blue electric light bulbs that were made for him by the Edison Electric Light Company. During that time he lived in a neighborhood, which was soon to be wired for electricity. Local newspapers of the time figured it was nothing but a publicity stunt, so they ignored the story about the lights. But Mr. Johnson became the “Father of the Electric Christmas Tree Lights” when a Detroit newspaper printed the story about the new Christmas light displays. It was at that moment the Christmas light displays began to be popular. In 1895 President Grover Cleveland had the first White House Christmas Tree illuminated electrically with over 100 lights instead of with candles. At this time, the new Christmas sets of lights used what they called “line-voltage” bulbs, which were 120 to 240 volts. This was similar to those in refrigerators in those days. Most Christmas light displays come with built-in fuses to protect against over-heating and as fire-prevention method. Christmas light displays began to branch out beginning in the 1960s. Track housing developed idea of the weatherproofed Christmas lights outlining the house eaves right after that, slowly moving into rope lights and running along mantels, along rafters, roof lines, porch railings, etc. Regular Christmas lights fill trees along avenues and downtown area. The Christmas light displays have taken on a whole new look as compared to the look of the mid to late 1800s. |
Christmas Lighting