††Firebrands, which are burning branches, provided the first portable artificial lights.The earliest oil lamps appeared around 40,000 BC. A rough stone container was filled with some animal fat for fuel, and natural vegetation, such as lichen or moss, was used to make a wick.
More sophisticated lamps were made in parts of Europe and Asia around the year 1100 BC. In this case vegetable oils, such as nut or olive oil, provided the necessary fuel.
During the second half of the 19th century lamps using kerosene, a substance extracted from shale, were commonly used. The oil lamp was finally superseded by the new electric lamps which were developed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
