Without question, lighthouses continue to inspire our appreciation for beauty and stimulate our imaginations. Perhaps you're planning a vacation to a coastal resort soon. If so, a trip to a local lighthouse is well worth your time. Some are open for public viewing. If not, simply enjoy the sensation of crashing surf at the base of the towering beacon.
Lighthouses are as much a part of our history as any residential dwelling.
The first Boston Light used candles or a small lamp for light. From the beginning, the quest for a brighter light was on. Whale oil, and later, kerosene were used to increase the light's intensity. Special lenses were used to increase the intensity of the light. The Fresnel lens was invented in 1822 by a Frenchman named Augustine Fresnel.