Ever heard that Thomas Edison, the super-smart guy who gave us the light bulb, was actually scared of the dark? It's true! Makes you wonder, right? If he was so brilliant and invented the thing that banished darkness, why was he afraid of the night? It's a funny thought. But this weird fact actually leads to a fascinating question: why, in some ways, were candles actually better than those early light bulbs?

Let's go back in time. Imagine it's the late 1800s. Electricity is new, exciting... and unreliable. Think about it like this: your modern phone is amazing, but if it only worked sometimes, you’d be pretty frustrated. That's kind of what electricity was like back then. Lights would flicker, go out completely, or even cause small fires. Not exactly a relaxing evening, huh?

"The early light bulbs were temperamental, like a moody cat," said one history professor I spoke with. "They needed constant attention and frequently failed."

Candles, on the other hand, were simple, reliable, and readily available. They were easy to use, didn't need any fancy equipment or specialized knowledge, and provided a soft, warm glow. Think of cozy candlelit dinners, the gentle flickering light casting dancing shadows on the walls – it’s a much more romantic and calming image than a sputtering, unreliable electric bulb, isn’t it?

Now, you might think, "But candles are dangerous! Fire hazards!" And you'd be right. Candles did present a risk of fire. But so did those early electric systems. Faulty wiring and overloaded circuits were responsible for many house fires in that era. It was a trade-off: a bit of a fire risk from candles versus the possibility of a much larger, more devastating fire from electrical problems.

Another factor is light quality. The first electric bulbs were pretty harsh. They produced a very bright, white light, which can be unpleasant, especially in a home. Candles, conversely, provided a much softer, warmer light, easier on the eyes. It wasn't as bright, of course, but it was a gentler, more comfortable light for reading or spending time with family.

"Think of it like comparing a harsh fluorescent light to the soft glow of a fireplace," explains a lighting expert I chatted with recently. "The electric lights were bright, but the candles provided a more comfortable atmosphere."

Also, think about portability. You could take a candle anywhere! Need light in the shed? A candle works. Need light on the porch? A candle's your friend. Early electric lights were tethered to wires, limiting their use to where the electrical system was installed.

So, while Edison's light bulb was a giant leap for mankind and ultimately revolutionized the world, in those early days, candles had some undeniable advantages. They were reliable, portable, provided a softer light, and were readily available. The early electric lights, while groundbreaking, were far from perfect. They were temperamental, potentially dangerous, and not nearly as user-friendly. This is why, in some situations, candles were a much better option.

It’s a fun reminder that even the greatest inventions sometimes have a bit of a rocky start. The story of Edison's fear of the dark and the early days of electric light reminds us that progress isn't always a straight line; sometimes, it's a bit of a bumpy road with some surprising twists and turns along the way! Who knows, maybe candles will have a comeback! They're certainly having a moment in home décor these days!