Once upon a time, there was only the moon lighting up the way for nighttime wanderers. A giant natural floodlight, perfect in its benevolent roundness. If there was no moon or if the night was cloudy, you had two options: staying at home or bringing a hand-held lantern.
In the cities, there were sometimes lighting provided by the city or the property owners – oil lamps on consoles or posts, offering a weak and flickering light. They were never lit after midnight though, not at all if the moon was up.
In the 1850s and 1860s all this changed. Gas light was installed in many of the major Swedish cities, providing new freedom of movement after dark. Still, the designs were adapted to the fact the lantern housed a living flame.
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