A Brief History of Artificial Christmas Trees
Imagine the scene: it’s 1880. An inventor called Robert M. Addis has created a variation of feather trees, using goose feathers in white and dyed green to develop the branch-like appearance of the tree. It catches on, and soon enough, the Addis brush company starts producing trees, but with bristles made from animal hair. The artificial Christmas tree was born. From those early days, artificial trees have seen many innovations, from neurally controlled fiber optics that simulate the twinkling lights of pre-lit trees to the latest innovations in making realistic needles and tree shapes.
The Manufacturing Process for Modern Trees
Today’s artificial trees are designed and produced using sophisticated equipment that involves cutting-edge technology and many safety protocols. The manufacturing process for artificial trees begins with molds that capture the shape and size of the fake tree. The tree might undergo several coating stages to give the needles a realistic, natural-looking texture. This involves wrapping wires or fibers around the molds and coating them with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or plastic. Different branches are attached to the tree’s center pole, and the needles are given their final cut. Other methods for making artificial trees involve using injection-molding technology to make branches, which are then attached to a central trunk. To provide a sense of realism, more and more manufacturers are using molds that create delicate and intricate needle shapes, giving buyers the look of genuine pine, fir, and spruce trees.
However, that’s not the end of the manufacturing process—safety checks include testing the electrical lighting systems or fiber optics for safety, and these wiring systems match and connect to connectors and pre-strung lights that have already undergone safety tests. In some instances, manufacturers add flame retardant chemicals to the tree to increase the fire resistance of the product. Finally, the trees are inspected, packed, and shipped to eager consumers.
The science and technology behind artificial trees have brought about many stylistic and production innovations. From scanning real Christmas trees to replicate their appearance to scientific advancements that improve the product’s safety, the artificial Christmas tree has many geeky secrets to discover. The next time you put up your artificial Christmas tree, thank the nerds in their braces and white coats who make it all possible.