Before electricity, houses relied on candlelight, oil lamps, gas lighting, and kerosene. Candles, made from wax, were the earliest method, used since ancient times. Oil lamps, fueled by animal or vegetable oils, provided longer illumination. Gas lighting, introduced in the 1800s, used manufactured gas from coal. Kerosene lamps became popular in the late 19th century after kerosene became affordable due to oil drilling.

The transition to electric lighting began in the late 19th century with Thomas Edison’s 1879 incandescent bulb. However, widespread adoption required infrastructure. By 1900, only 10% of U.S. homes had electricity, while 85% relied on candles or oil lamps. Gas lighting dominated urban areas, with 60% of cities using it by 1880. Kerosene lamps, cheaper than gas, were used by 20 million households by 1900. The oil industry’s growth, particularly Standard Oil’s dominance, made kerosene affordable. For example, kerosene costs dropped from $1 per gallon in 1860 to $0.20 by 1890. Safety concerns, like fire risks from open flames, accelerated demand for electric lighting. By 1920, electricity reached 50% of U.S. homes, driven by public utilities and government incentives. This shift reduced energy costs by 75% compared to kerosene and improved safety. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows household lighting costs fell from $6 annually in 1900 to $1.50 by 1920. The transition also spurred industrial growth, with electric motors replacing 90% of manual machinery by 1910. Thus, pre-electric lighting methods were phased out as infrastructure and affordability evolved.