A Short History of Outdoor Lighting

Did you know that gardens and landscapes have been illuminated for as long as interior buildings have? Outdoor lighting was equally important for safety reasons as it was admired for nighttime beauty.

From Firelight to Gas Lighting

Firelight from wood, candles and oil were used for torches, sconces and lanterns and was the norm from Ancient Times right up until 1790, when Gas lighting was developed in England by William Murdoch. At the time, Gas lighting was used for both street lights as well as indoor lamps.

The Arrival of Electricity

The first Electric light was invented in 1802 by Englishman Humphry Davy, but it was the American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison who figured out how to make Electric lamps last longer than Gas, thereby making Electricity the main source for indoor and outdoor lighting which was exactly what Mr. Edison wanted to achieve.

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