Exploring the Influence of Indian Culture on Pre-1920 Electrical Holiday Lighting.

[MarhtaSog]

How did the traditional Indian lighting practices, such as Diwali lights, influence the development of electrical holiday lighting in the West? Were there any cultural exchanges or collaborations between Indian and Western lighting manufacturers in the early 1900s?

[paulrace]

Actually that's a good question. Electrical lighting in the US, including Christmas lighting was mostly invented and promoted by very white men like Thomas Edison. Before that, candles were used in Western Europe mostly by German Lutherans. In other words I don't see any Indian influence on US or western Europe, but I do see lots of parallels.