Turpentine and Oil, Early American Lighting Fuels
In the early 19th century, as the United States sought to address the growing need for affordable and effective lighting, a natural solution emerged in the form of turpentine and oil. These substances, derived primarily from pine trees, played a significant role in the lighting landscape before the advent of kerosene, which would eventually dominate the market. Despite its strong odor, turpentine proved to be a valuable and cost-effective alternative to the more expensive whale oil, and it became widely used, particularly in outdoor settings.
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The Rise of Turpentine as a Fuel Source
Turpentine is a resinous substance extracted from pine trees, and its use as a lamp fuel dates back to the early 19th century. To collect turpentine, harvesters would create V-shaped cuts, known as "catfaces," on the bark of pine trees, a practice that would allow the sap to flow out and be collected. This technique of "tapping" trees for turpentine was especially common in North Carolina, a region blessed with large pine forests well-suited to the production of turpentine.
The turpentine was then processed into "spirits of turpentine," a liquid that could be used as a fuel for lamps. Though the resin had a distinctive and somewhat pungent odor, it was a much more affordable alternative to whale oil, which had been the preferred fuel for lamps but was expensive and unsustainable due to overhunting. For many, the availability of turpentine as a cheap, locally produced resource helped to fill the gap in the lighting market.
The Development of Camphine
As demand for alternative fuels grew, a new fuel mixture was developed that combined turpentine with ethanol. This blend, known as camphine, was the dominant lamp fuel in the years leading up to the Civil War. Camphine was particularly favored for its bright, steady flame and the relative ease with which it could be produced. However, camphine's strong odor made it less than ideal for indoor use, and its flammability raised safety concerns.
Despite these drawbacks, camphine's affordability made it a popular choice for many households, especially in rural areas where kerosene had not yet become widely available. Its use in lamps provided a significant improvement over the dim, smoky light of tallow and whale oil lamps, ushering in an era of brighter, more reliable illumination for homes and businesses.
The Turpentine Industry and "Industrial Slavery"
The rise of turpentine production was deeply intertwined with the economic realities of the time, particularly in the South. The labor-intensive process of tapping trees and collecting sap created a high demand for workers. Large numbers of enslaved African Americans were employed in the turpentine industry, particularly in North Carolina, where the practice of tapping pine trees was widespread. This reliance on slave labor for turpentine production is often referred to as "industrial slavery," highlighting the economic significance of the turpentine trade and its role in supporting the broader Southern economy.
The turpentine industry was so vital to the region that the distinctive "catfaces" left on trees by turpentine harvesters became an iconic symbol of the labor and resource extraction in North Carolina. The region's output of turpentine was integral to the success of camphine production, which, in turn, supplied much-needed fuel to homes across the country.
Disruptions and the Rise of Kerosene
However, the Civil War and the eventual abolition of slavery disrupted the turpentine industry in significant ways. The loss of enslaved labor and the upheaval caused by the war severely hindered production, and many markets for turpentine were lost. The industry faced challenges in maintaining output as labor shortages and disruptions to supply chains made it increasingly difficult to meet demand.
The post-war era also saw the rise of kerosene as a more viable, affordable, and efficient alternative to both turpentine and whale oil. Kerosene, derived from petroleum, was easier to produce in large quantities, did not carry the strong odor of turpentine, and was safer to use. As kerosene began to dominate the market, the use of turpentine in lamps gradually diminished, although it remained a key component of the lighting landscape for several decades.
The Enduring Legacy of Turpentine in Early American Lighting
Despite the eventual decline in turpentine's use as a lamp fuel, its historical importance cannot be overstated. Turpentine, particularly in the form of camphine, served as a vital light source in an era before the widespread availability of kerosene and electricity. The turpentine industry not only influenced the development of lighting but also shaped the social and economic landscape of the South, particularly in terms of labor.
The legacy of turpentine production, especially in North Carolina, is still remembered today in the distinctive "catfaces" that remain on the trunks of pine trees, reminders of the history of industrial labor and the reliance on natural resources to fuel the expansion of the young nation. While kerosene ultimately replaced turpentine as the dominant lamp fuel, the story of turpentine’s role in lighting history remains a testament to American innovation and adaptability in the pursuit of better living conditions during a time of limited resources and rapid change.
• Charles H. Haswell. "Reminiscences of New York By an Octogenarian (1816 - 1860)".
• Prizer, Tom (June 11, 2010). "Catfaces: Totems of Georgia's Turpentiners | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural". dailyyonder.com.
• Zallen, Jeremy (2019). American Lucifers: The Dark History of Artificial Light, 1750-1865. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.
All proceeds from the sale of the "House of the Messenger" support the Joseph Greer Chapter and the Tennessee Society, Sons of the American Revolution. The funds will be allocated to historical and educational programs dedicated to the founding principles of the republic and the Constitution of the United States.
