O Christmas Tree

Today, it is expected for Christmas trees to be decorated with strands of lights. For some, these lights are colored while others opt for white lights. But initially, Christmas trees were illuminated by candles and were not decorated with stands of light bulbs until 1882.

Photo: home creation.tk

Edward Johnson, friend of Thomas Edison and Vice President of Edison Electric Light Company, hand wired colored light bulbs together in order to decorate his tree on December 22, 1882. Like Edison, Johnson publicized this feat by inviting newspaper reporters to his home in New York to see the phenomenon. Johnson became known as the "Father of Electric Christmas Tree Lights."

Photo: history.com

After Johnson created them, electric tree lights became more and more popular for Christmas trees across the country and eventually around the world on indoor and outdoor trees. President Grover Cleveland was the first President to have a Christmas tree at the White House lit by electric lights in 1895. In 1901, Edison's company manufactured and advertised strings of Christmas lights in "Ladies' Home Journal." May your Christmas be merry and bright!

Photo: oldchristmastreelights.com