An associated topic is the history of artificial lighting. A good exhibit is the one at Old Sturbridge Village. Here are some pictures of it:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mytravelphotos/14693172893/in/...

It's crazy to me that no so long ago people had to make do with rushlights which were far more primitive than the oil lamps of the ancient world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rushlight