In 1667, Paris became the first city in the world to light its streets, using wax candles in glass lamps.

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The documents show details of daily life, such as how heavy wax candles were a crucial purchase in order for 15th century worshippers to see the Eucharist during Mass.

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By the early 20th century Syracuse became famous for production of Smith Corona typewriters, Syracuse China, Nettleton shoes, bicycles, wax candles and the Franklin, an ahead-of-its-time automobile with an air-cooled engine.

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And since a candle's burn rate is fairly consistent, they were often used to tell time--some candles even had hour measurements marked into the wax.

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