In 1860, Michael Faraday gave his now-famous lecture series on the Chemical History of a Candle, demonstrating dozens of scientific principles through his careful observations of a burning candle.
In the late 1990s, NASA took candle research to new heights, conducting space shuttle experiments to learn about the behavior of candle flames in microgravity.
Scientists in universities and research laboratories around the world continue to conduct experiments with candles to learn more about candle flames, emissions and combustion.
And, of course, thousands of students every year investigate the principles of heat, light and combustion through school science projects involving candles.