In 1841, an English company patented something called a "Self Acting Extinguisher," a little spring-loaded cap on a candle clamp that was supposed to close on its own.
People have apparently been trying to build a candle that puts itself out for almost two hundred years. One patent from 1908 was made specifically for people reading in bed, so it wouldn't matter if they fell asleep.
I bought a modern version, a little cup on a collar that clips onto the candlestick. Once the wax gets soft enough, the cup is supposed to close down over the flame and put it out. It was a fun little thing to try, honestly. Mine closed hard and fast and flung hot wax everywhere instead of just smothering the flame quietly lol.
Do you guys ever burn taper candles in candlesticks? I think there is something just a bit romantic about it.
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