History of a new type of light

In 1935, a Mr. Carl Otis filed a patent for a bubbling light idea. These were specifically designed to use on Christmas trees. Benjamin Franklin was the first person who had thought of the concept. Mr. Otis' patent was for an "Ornamental Illuminating Device" as he called it. In time, he applied for several more patents for variations of the same light. However, there were others who claimed fame to even other variations of the light. Unfortunately, Mr. Otis finally lost his patent rights to the light and along with it, his royalty payments from the Christmas lighting companies.

Electric outdoor christmas lights for trees - a status symbol

Those who were still using candles in the 1900's were doing so because the cost of having electric lights made it impossible for them. Others hung onto the candle lighted trees simply because they loved the tradition and didn't want it to end. Those who were able to switch over were quite delighted with the rainbow of colors in the room. They also enjoyed the fact that the lights could stay on all day and evening. Having an electrically lighted Christmas tree was considered a status symbol back then, and was why some people wanted to go with the trend.