Christmas. The period of time when pure joy, gifting, receiving, and holiday cheer engulf us all. It’s when we fill our lives with nothing but festive spirit by going Christmas shopping, listening to seasonal music, and most importantly, hanging glistening Christmas decorations.

Perhaps the most popular form of Christmas decor are the world-famous Christmas lights. However, as relevant as these colorful bulbs are to Christmas, few know about their origin. According to a Christmas history website, the traditional decor all started in the 1800s when candles were still being used to light up a Christmas tree, way before Christmas lights even existed. The outdated method was a fire hazard, but options were limited without electric lights. However, as this dangerous tradition began to gain even more traction, two geniuses knew something had to be done (aleteia.com).

Christmas lights can be credited to a colleague of the man who created the modern-day light bulb. Thomas Edison founded the Edison Electrical Light Company in the year 1878, according to a website about the history of Christmas lights (edn.com). In 1882, an intrigued friend of Thomas Edison, named Edward Johnson, became vice president (aleteia.com).

According to the Smithsonian Magazine, “Over at the Edison shop, Johnson saw an opportunity. Setting up a tree by the street-side window of his parlor, Johnson hand-wired 80 red, white and blue light bulbs and strung them together around it, and placed the trunk on a revolving pedestal, all powered by a generator.” Johnson’s first “electrically illuminated” Christmas tree drew the attention of reporters and people walking by, who were absolutely astonished. Even Edison himself was impressed by his work (smithsonian.mag).

   Johnson and Edison soon started to work together frequently. Eventually, Johnson’s invention turned into the birth of Christmas lights, when the two manufactured the Edison Miniature Lamps for Christmas Trees. Even the president at the time, Grover Cleveland, used the new lights on the White House tree in the year 1895 (aleteia.com). Not only were these new and improved bulbs beautiful, but they were also a safer alternative for decorating Christmas trees, considering the dangers brought by candles.

The world-renowned decorations are very popular within the UC High community. Freshman and Christmas Lover Amilee Bounphamaly said, “My family and I decorate for Christmas every year, and we sort of made it a family tradition.” She continued, “Christmas lights bring me joy because they make me feel like I’m embracing the Christmas spirit… Seeing other people put up their Christmas lights makes it feel like a whole community.”

Being the quintessential Christmas decoration, Christmas lights make this holiday all the more jolly. Edison and Johnson deserve a big bundle of Christmas presents under the tree thanks to their brilliant invention that brings a wave of color to communities every winter season.