what is the history of lighthouses?

Question

why do we have them and what are they used for?

Answer 1

As you probably know, insects such as moths and mosquitos are attracted to lights.

During the War of 1812, the moth and mosquito population in the US was staggering, and hindering the war effort. Many a pack mule died from malaria, and moths were interfering w/ the Pony Express deliveries.

The US discovered that lighthouses could attract hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of moths and mosquitos, which could then be killed using the newly discovered coal gas.

They are still employed this way today, usually with a lone operator taking care of the messy details such as cleaning up all those bugs.