Streetlights were first employed by the Ancient Greeks and Romans for the purpose of security including visual awareness to prevent tripping and crime prevention. Oil lamps were used by the two civilizations as they were adept at providing a moderate and long-lasting flame. Often slaves were employed with the express role of lighting the oil lamps in front of the villas they were staying in, such a slave was called a ‘laternarius’. Well into the Middle Ages, the practice of having an individual assigned to lighting lamps continued, with ‘link boys’ who escorted people from place to place.

It was a long time before incandescent lamps were invented, meaning the gu 10 had a while to wait. Gas lighting was the next step employed in street lighting. These early gas lamps required a lamplighter to walk the entire town at dusk, lighting each lamp. Later devices removed the need for such a paid individual, as they incorporated ignition devices which would strike the flame automatically the moment the gas supply was turned on.