The first Christmas tree illuminated with electric lights appeared in 1882 in New York, thanks to Edward H. Johnson, a partner of Thomas Edison. Johnson placed 80 red, white, and blue light bulbs on a rotating tree inside his home, surprising neighbors passing by his window. In an era when electricity was still a novelty, this decoration was seen as a futuristic spectacle.
Although initially considered an eccentric luxury, Johnson's idea marked the beginning of a tradition that would spread throughout the world. Electric lights offered a much safer alternative to candles, which were common in Europe and posed a high fire risk. Over time, Christmas lights became more affordable and began to adorn homes, streets, and shop windows.
Today, Christmas lights are synonymous with celebration and magic. From that tree in Manhattan to the light shows we see in entire cities, it all began with the vision of an inventor who wanted to add a touch of sparkle to Christmas. Who would have thought that such a small idea would ignite a tradition?
Source: https://christmaslights
