Automatic Candle Extinguisher

Said to have been invented in Sweden.

Clever.

YouTube comment: "To anyone wondering, these are known as 'Änglavakt,' litterally 'angel guard' in Swedish (it's a common expression for narrowly avoiding disaster). Sadly, no one makes them anymore, but they show up in flea markets from time to time."

Many other Swedish commenters noted their grandmothers had these but that they seem to have disappeared. 

My Crack Research Team®© drilled down and discovered a photo of a similar device, far more elaborate (scroll down), in a book which dated it to 18th century England.

They also happened on this elegant 2015 variation on the theme:

$20.

The problem with this device is that it's not adjustable: it requires your candle to burn down to a nub before working its magic.

A few more days of searching led to various modern day iterations of the Swedish version up top on QVC, Etsy, and their ilk, all sold out.

Frustrated by my team's incompetence (it's hard to find good help these days) I took over and in a New York minute found them here.

A set of four in brass will set you back SEK 399 ($36.82).

Too much?

Here's an instructional video

that will guide you through the process of making your own from ordinary household objects: a paper clip, a Q-tip, a clothes pin, and a bottle cap (assuming a soldering iron is de rigueur in your domicile).

I dunno — the fact that two of the four components of this Rube Goldberg-style contraption are flammable makes me less than enthusiastic about recommending it without reservation.