The question of determining the advent of portable light sources is a complex one, lacking a precise pinpoint in history. Early forms of illumination, employing readily available materials, emerged long before recorded history. These devices, fundamentally consisting of a combustible material attached to a handle, provided mobile light for various activities.
The significance of these early lighting solutions lies in their role in facilitating exploration, enabling nighttime activities, and providing a degree of safety from nocturnal predators. The use of fire for illumination represents a pivotal technological advancement in early human history, influencing social structures, hunting practices, and the exploration of new environments. Evidence suggests that rudimentary versions were utilized extensively by early hominids and Neanderthals, with the specific materials varying based on geographic location and available resources.
