Paraffin wax

Paraffin wax (or petroleum wax) is a soft colorless solid derived from petroleum, coal or shale oil that consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between twenty and forty carbon atoms. It is solid at room temperature and begins to melt above approximately 37 °C (99 °F),^[2] and its boiling point is above 370 °C (698 °F).^[3] Common applications for paraffin wax include lubrication, electrical insulation, and candles;^[4] dyed paraffin wax can be made into crayons. It is distinct from kerosene and other petroleum products that are sometimes called paraffin.^[5]

Un-dyed, unscented paraffin candles are odorless and bluish-white. Paraffin wax was first created by Carl Reichenbach in Germany in 1830 and marked a major advancement in candle making technology, as it burned more cleanly and reliably than tallow candles and was cheaper to produce.^[