America’s first candle factory opened this day in 1748 in Newport, R.I., and owner Benjamin Crabb began lighting up the colonies. Soon Pilgrims found other uses for candles. When ends on ropes began to fray, a few drops of wax made them stay. Over the years there have been other bright ideas, too. Since candle wax was a good lubricant, we rubbed it on wooden drawers to make them open with ease. A candle rubbed over saw teeth cut wood more easily, and candle wax protected the blade from rusting. Screws and nails with wax applied to them were driven into wood more easily. To facilitate sharpening saw teeth, a lighted wick passed below leaves a coat of soot showing which teeth are filed and sharp. Today we even put candles in our fireplace to create a romantic glow on warm summer nights. And that's the On The House tip for today.