Tim Schnaible, age 7, of Visalia, Calif., for his question:

WHAT ARE CANDLES MADE OF?

For more than 2000 years the candle was man's chief source of light. At first candles were made of fats wrapped in husks or moss. Later candle makers placed the wick inside a mold and tallow or beeswax was melted and poured into the molds to form the candle.

Most modern candles are made of stearin, which is obtained from tallow, and paraffin, a mineral wax.

Most candles are now made by dipping the wick many times into the melted material, by pouring it into molds or by forcing the candle material through holes and then threading the wick down the center. Wicks are made of woven cord.

Candles aren't used as man's chief source of light today, but they still add charm and grace to his dining table.