From the 14th century onwards there was the rise of the mercantile cities in Europe. The new wealth and leisure of the mercantile cities led to publicly organized street lighting. The concept of ‘city as theatre’ emerged and city streets became sites of public display of power and military glory.

In the eighteenth century, the upper classes became urbane. City became the centre of urban life where night time work as well as commerce increased.

Fear of violence increased and public lighting became a necessity. Rather than asking people to fix lamps, the local authorities bought lamps, oil and the labour needed to service them.