This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
When Christmas Lights Became a Holiday Tradition
The history traces electric Christmas lights from 1882 with Edward Johnson to White House use in 1895 and GE selling light kits in 1903. Outdoor shows rise in the 1920s, prices drop after GE offshore manufacturing in the 1960s, and the modern home exterior lighting tradition becomes dominant.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Edward Johnson
Thomas Edison
Johnson
United States
Grover Cleveland
White House
General Electric