Cost of lighting a bulb could take drastic turn from money to blood

In 1635, an English author named Frances Quarles coined the phrase “burning the midnight oil,” commenting on humanity’s obsession with working too hard; in particular into the wee hours of the night and early morning. Quarles’ fascination stemmed from the fact that people would literally have to use lamps fueled by oil to be able to work at these hours, despite the fact that oil lamps were unable to produce substantial light.