/oss/taxonomy/term/4241/all en /oss/article/technology-general-science/electricity-streets-were-filled-gas-lights <p>A long, long time ago, before electricity, fire was the only weapon against darkness. Ancient civilizations made use of torches but by 4500 B.C. oil lamps made out of shells or hollow rocks were in use. Candles were introduced some 1500 years later. Oil lamps burned plant- and animal-derived oils, whilst candles burnt wax and tallow. While the light produced was sufficient to read at night, it was too soft and localized to illuminate any significant space.</p> Tue, 17 Dec 2019 16:39:03 +0000 Morgan Sweeney, OSS Contributor 8052 at /oss