Don’t thank Santa — thank a quantum engineer

The true (scientific) story of Christmas (lights)

The twinkling lights of Christmas are not just the ultimate test for your untangling skills but also apparently a shimmering symbol of joy and warmth. Behind their sparkle is a dance of quantum physics that most of us don’t think about as we wage war with the knot of lights from last year.

As we deck the halls with these stubborn strings of defiance, each bulb stands as a tiny but mighty tribute to human cleverness and the whimsical ways of the quantum. From the days of yore with their flickering candlelit charm to the modern LED wonders that won’t burn your cat’s whiskers, the evolution of Christmas lights is as enthralling as finding that one working bulb in a chain of darkness.

Evergreen content

Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries, it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, illness, and Amazon package thieves.

The Christmas tree as we know it started in Germany during the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes, where it was much warmer, especially with the introduction of candles.