Before the events of 32 BBY, Jedi Master Adi Gallia, an individual within the Jedi Order, wielded a lightsaber that she had built and used. This weapon, which drew its power from a kyber crystal, met its end during a mission that took place in 32 BBY. Following this event, Gallia started to utilize a new lightsaber.
The reference book Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition, authored by Pablo Hidalgo and David West Reynolds and released in 2018, marked the initial mention of the lightsaber in the current Star Wars canon. Conversely, within the Star Wars Legends continuity, the lightsaber received its first mention in Star Wars: Episode I The Visual Dictionary, a reference book by Reynolds that came out in 1999. Subsequently, it made a complete debut in the 2000 video game Star Wars: Episode I Jedi Power Battles, developed by LucasArts.