When Were Street Lamps First Used?
Dark must have been the lives of those people who, until comparatively recent times, lived, in the absence of sunlight, by the feeble, uncertain light of the primitive illuminants borne by these lamps. And as for street lighting—that was a luxury but seldom indulged in, and then, not for public benefit, but to enhance the glory of a potentate, or grace the obsequies of some great man. Even Rome, at the height of her luxury and beauty, rarely exhibited more than one or two lanterns in her streets. These were suspended over the baths and places of public resort. Occasionally, however, the streets were illuminated during festivals and other public occasions, while the Forum was sometimes lighted for a midnight exhibition. With these glittering exceptions, and that memorable one when, to satisfy the homicidal impulses of a bad emperor, the bodies of Christians were made living torches, Rome was a city of darkness.
THE FIRST STREET LIGHT IN AMERICA
The first street light in America. Early in 1795 several large cressets were placed on the corners of Boston’s most frequented street. Pine-knots were placed in these fire baskets by the night watchman.