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It's not popularly known that synthetic Christmas trees actually began in the Middle Ages in Germany. It wasn't until the 19th and 20th centuries that they became popular in other countries with the creation of brand-new and creative trees entering being. It began with plumes then animal bristles, aluminum, plastic then optic fibers. Discover the six phases in the development of the synthetic Christmas tree:
In the Middle Ages woodcarvers in Germany fashioned the first lightstock. A pyramid-shaped stand made from 2-5 wooden rods and 3 shelves holding candle lights and Christmas related figurines. At some point later they connected a pinwheel to the top of the main rod. As the heat from the candles rose it would rotate the pinwheel and the racks making a delightful display. Little lightstocks were soon seen to be placed next to Christmas trees. However lots of bad woodcarvers might not manage trees and hence the lightstock happened called the poor man's Christmas tree. Lightstocks or pyramids as they are also now known, are a custom in Dresden, Germany that continues to this day.
Coming from Germany in the 1880's, green colored goose plume trees are considered to be the very first artificial Christmas tree in the contemporary world. The factor for the production of plume trees, made with wire branches, was due to the fact that the Germans were worried regarding logging related to the harvest of trees. So the artificial trees end up being popular in the U.S.A. early in the 20th century. Branches were extensively spaced so that candles on trees (which was popular before the electrical lights were developed) had sufficient area so not to develop a fire. Fires were a big issue with early trees with candles placed on them. Frequently artificial red berries were put throughout the feathered branches, which functioned as candle light holders. Tree sizes varied from 2 inches to 98 inches in department stores. Today many of these trees are now valuable antique collectibles.
The very first artificial tree made from animal hair bristles was made in 1930 in the USA. The bristles were dyed green and these trees ended up being popular not just in the U.S.A. but in Britain too. They soon changed the plume trees as these trees were not as flammable and could hold much heavier ornaments.
In the U.S.A. in 1958 the first aluminium trees were developed. They ended up being preferred right approximately the 1970's. There was an unfavorable representation of these trees in 1965 when 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' aired for the very first time, which is believed to be credited with their decline in sales.
Mostly made from PVC plastic, they are not fire-resistant but fire-retardant and most of these trees are made in China. The PVC utilized Mesa Trees can be a prospective source of hazardous lead - labels have to be read thoroughly. The Addis Brush Company (who made toilet bowl brushes) made the first phony plastic Christmas trees. Some say the very first plastic trees were giant green toilet brushes!
These are a brand-new designer breed of Christmas tree. Optic fiber trees are made from a versatile, transparent fiber made from glass (silica) formed into different size strands the size of human hair. These fibers transmit light between the two ends of the fiber producing a magical selection of white or colored light. Some optic fiber trees look like a conventional Christmas tree while others appear completely in light.