Here we have yet another questionable old depiction of lighting. Here is the description according to Wikipedia...

Minster lighting in honor of the visit of Archduchess Marie Antoinette in May 1770. For this cathedral lighting, 1000 special lamps were made that do not go out even in the wind. This lighting was clearly visible not only in Freiburg but also in the surrounding area.

Clearly the illustrator understood perspective and proportions, so why on earth could he not depict fire from small lamps properly? He drew it as if the whole top of the spire was on fire. Was this an error, or was this an unknown method of lighting we are unaware of today?

Click here for over two dozen depictions of questionable lighting before Edison

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