Does anyone know where and when the tradition began of smoke symbolizing a new Pope being chosen?

Question

I know that black smoke tells everyone that a new Pope has not yet been chosen, and that the white smoke shows the selection of a new Pope. Does anyone know where and when this tradition started? Thanks :)

Answer 1

When the ballots are taken within the conclave a chemical that turns the smoke black when the ballots are burned is used until the final vote when the Pope is elected and then they are burned without chemicals and the smoke is white. Originally wet straw was used instead of chemicals but was not very reliable to produce the correct color smoke.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 2

Catholicism takes a lot of its rites and rituals from ancient Pagan customs. That's where the smoke rite comes from.