New York: Home of the First Electric Christmas Tree Lights

In New York State in 1882, Edward Hibberd Johnson, a visionary inventor, and Vice President of the Edison Electric Light Company, kindled a radiant tradition that would forever transform the holiday season.

Johnson's historic creation unfolded with the illumination of the first Christmas tree adorned with electric lights, a groundbreaking spectacle that would ignite a global tradition.

As an engineer and business partner of Thomas Edison, Johnson's familiarity with light bulbs intersected with his festive holiday preparations, sparking a luminous idea. Stringing together 80 red, white, and blue light bulbs around a coniferous tree in his parlor window, Johnson unveiled a mesmerizing display that revolutionized the art of Christmas decorations.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Johnson's introduction of electric Christmas tree lights served an important purpose - they eliminated the fire hazard posed by traditional wax candles. For centuries, families decorated their holiday trees with real flames, a practice believed to have originated with Martin Luther as a way to replicate twinkling stars. However, the inherent danger led to destructive fires, prompting Johnson to fuse safety with innovation through his electrifying creation.

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The enthralling sight of Johnson's electrically lit tree quickly spread beyond his quaint village, captivating the hearts and imaginations of New Yorkers and beyond. As news of this electric creation traveled, it sparked a revolution in holiday decor that would go on to illuminate communities across the state of New York and eventually, the world.