This study presents a look at the development of residential lighting in America and the technological and social factors which inspired the development. Availability of fuels, quality of light provided, daily care needed by a light source, and safety were all direct influences on the development of artificial lighting. Technological advances in response to the social needs began with the closed font and continued through the removable burner, accommodating a variety of fuels including tallow, lard, whale oil, burning fluids, kerosene, gas and ultimately electricity. Along with the increasing illuminating power, the amount of decoration, both possible and accepted, increased. / Department of Architecture