An interesting article on the cost of 'reading' light, over the centuries...

Since many of our flashlights can tail-stand like a candle, it's somewhat appropriate for this forum:

https://humanprogress.org/article.php?p=495

"It wasn't until the 18th century that spermaceti candles, which were made from a waxy substance found in the head cavities of sperm whales, and were much less time-consuming to produce, became more readily available. But even then, reading light remained very expensive (not to mention terminal for the whales). George Washington calculated that five hours of reading per night cost him £8 yearly - well over $1,000 in today's dollars."

Chris

I've been researching this topic lately and that is an extremely misinformed article. Only the wealthy used candles of any sort. Everyone else used rushlights and betty lamps.

Rushlights were made from the stalks of freshwater rush plants and soaked in tallow. They were smokey and smelly and dripped hot fat. But they were cheap. In the 1700s 5 hours of rushlight cost a farthing. That would have been £0.38 per year or about $50 now. This is assuming you bought them pre-made insetad of making them yourself.

I want to say that the betty lamp was even cheaper to operate. It could burn the same tallow as the rushlamp or any vegetable oil. But it could catch its own drippings (less waste) and was reusable. Bigger upfront cost of course since it required some smithing to make.

http://candles.org/history/

Maybe this will shed some light.....

Yup, pun intended