From Christmas Trees to Motorcycles

The history of lighting

If there’s one thing that gets me feeling festive during the holidays, it’s the twinkling displays of lights that remind me of my seasonal traditions and the joy I’ve shared with family and friends. Homes get all dolled up, trees adorned with ornaments glow with colour, and there’s a palpable sense of magic in the air. While my motorcycle is nestled all snug in its place, I sit down to write my “what-I-want-for-Christmas” list, the lights evoking a sense of calm and holiday spirit. But those cheerful lights have a fascinating history.

In 17th-century Germany, families lit candles on their Christmas trees to represent hope and the light of Christ. The ritual was beautiful, but fraught with danger—dry evergreen branches could be quickly set ablaze from the open flames, spelling disaster. Families lit their trees briefly and kept a careful watch, knowing that even a moment’s lapse of attention could result in tragedy.

But what does this have to do with motorcycles?

Lighting up the night was no less precarious for early motorists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, travellers relied on kerosene and oil-burning lamps to pierce the darkness. These open-flamed lights, mounted on early cars and motorcycles, flickered with the wind and struggled against rain. Acetylene lamps offered a steadier flame, created by a reaction between water and calcium carbide, but they too had their limits. A sudden downpour or a bumpy road could snuff out a rider’s view, leaving only shadows and risk behind. Much like Christmas tree candles, these lamps were a hopeful but flawed attempt at illumination.

The lighting revolution started to change everything

In 1882, Edward H. Johnson, who worked alongside Thomas Edison, had the idea to create the first Christmas tree lit by electric lights: 80 red, blue, and white bulbs that brought a new era of lighting to New Yorkers and the world. The notion of “holiday glow” suddenly became a whole lot safer (and less nerve-racking).

The automotive world caught on fast. By 1898, the Columbia Electric Car boasted an electric headlamp, and by 1912, Cadillac introduced a full electrical lighting system. Motorcycles soon followed suit, as manufacturers recognized that a steady beam at night could mean the difference between a smooth ride and an unexpected crash. Electric lighting made night travel far more feasible—and, just like in cars, much safer.

Lighting tech advances

The 20th century saw a vast improvement in lighting technology. Incandescent bulbs gave way to halogens, which were eventually replaced by LEDs. This forever changed what it meant to “light up the night.” Christmas trees became dazzling displays of holiday joy, while cars morphed into beacons of safety with adaptive lighting designs. LEDs offered unparalleled brightness and efficiency, making roadways and festive scenes a whole lot brighter.

While cars embraced powerful, adaptive lighting systems, motorcycles lagged behind—especially when it came to rear visibility. Too often, taillights were designed more for style than safety, leaving riders dangerously hard to spot in traffic. Many motorcycles still roll off the line with taillights that are dim, undersized, and nearly invisible—especially in a sea of city lights, inclement weather, at night, or in bright sunlight.

Why we still need better lighting for motorcycles

It’s a simple but critical issue: many bikes leave the factory with dim or undersized taillights, making it hard for others on the road to see them. Sometimes, the drive for stylish designs compromises safety, leaving riders less visible and more vulnerable than they should be.

Enter AdMore Lighting—a company on a mission to brighten things up for riders everywhere. They offer high-performance LED solutions that augment dim, factory-standard taillights with additional lighting to enhance visibility and safety. Think ultra-bright brake light kits that pulse under hard braking, attention-grabbing turn signals, and integrated LED arrays that make sure you’re seen no matter what the weather throws at you. And the best part? These lights blend in with your bike’s style, proving that safety and good looks can coexist.

From flickering flames to LED brilliance for motorcycles

The journey from candlelit Christmas trees to LED-illuminated motorcycles is a testament to how far we’ve come—and a reminder of what still needs doing. As riders, we shouldn’t have to accept dim lighting when technology exists to keep us safe. AdMore Lighting’s products are more than upgrades; they’re game-changers in a world where every bit of visibility counts. So, if you’re looking for the perfect gift to add to your “what-I-want-for-Christmas” list, consider adding an AdMore rear light bar or case lighting product. Come next year, you’ll be glad that you did.

Ride safe, be seen, and have yourself a brightly lit holiday season. I’ll see you out there, taking it slow, savouring every curve of the road, and discovering that motorcycling, like the holidays, is all about the journey.

Happy holidays, everyone!

– John Lewis