Why did coal gas become widely used for street lighting despite safety concerns?

Despite concerns regarding its safety, coal gas became widely adopted for street lighting in the early 19th century because it offered a significant advancement in urban illumination. Following its initial use for lighting by William Murdock in 1792, the technology was rapidly embraced by firms and towns across Britain and eventually throughout the United States and Europe.12

The widespread adoption was driven by the practical need for effective public lighting, which gas provided more efficiently than previous methods like oil lamps. Although early gas lighting relied on simple, less efficient burners, the technology was later greatly enhanced by the invention of the gas mantle. This innovation allowed gas lamps to produce a much brighter, high-temperature light, helping the fuel remain competitive and popular for street lighting well into the 20th century, even as electricity began to emerge as a rival.12