The Origins of Christmas Legends and Traditions We Didn’t Know

Thomas Edison, renowned for inventing the light bulb, had a partner, Edward Hibberd Johnson, who sparked a bright Christmas tradition. In 1882, Johnson had the novel idea to adorn a Christmas tree in New York with a string of electric lights.

This dazzling display set a trend, and by 1914, Christmas lights were being mass-produced. Today, this tradition shines stronger than ever, with approximately 150 million sets of lights sold annually in the U.S., illuminating the holiday season in millions of homes.