Matches History - Invention of Matches

Matches History - Invention of Matches

umans had used controlled fire to modify their environment for thousands of centuries before mea Humans had used controlled fire to modify their environment for thousands of centuries before means were discovered to activate fires chemically. At some time long before the beginning of recorded history, people in widely separated parts of the world learned how to spark fires at first by the friction of rubbing two sticks together, and later (and more easily) with, flint and steel. However, it was not until 1680 that an Englishman named Robert Boyle discovered that phosphorus and sulfur would burst into flame instantly if rubbed together. He was convinced that the flames were caused not by friction but by something inherent in the nature of the phosphorus and sulfur themselves. He was right. He had uncovered the principal that would ultimately lead to the modern match. In the early nineteenth century, many different chemical fire-starting devices were developed in Europe. Some used Boyle’s phosphorus/sulfur combination, others involved gaseous hydrogen, but all were quite cumbersome and dangerous.In 1827, an English pharmacist named John Walker produced his "sulphuretted peroxide strikables," gigantic, yard-long sticks that can be considered the real precursor of today’s match. Small phosphorus matches were first marketed in Germany in 1832, but they were extremely hazardous. In 1836 in the United States, Alonzo D. Phillips of Springfield, Massachusetts, obtained a patent for "manufacturing of friction matches" and called them locofocos. The danger problem was not resolved until the invention of amorphous (red) phosphorus in 1845. Carl Lundstrom of Sweden introduced the first red phosphorus "safety" matches in 1855. Joshua Pusey invented book matches in 1889.  He was a well-known lawyer in Pennsylvania before the turn of the century. He smoked cigars. One day he was invited to a dinner party by the Mayor of Philadelphia.  He dressed in his best clothes, and all was fine-except for one thing. The big box of wooden kitchen matches he was carrying to light his cigars, stuck out of his vest so much that he felt embarrassed. Why did matches have to be so bulky? He wondered! Why couldn't they be made out of paper instead of wood?  Paper matches would be lighter and much smaller.  Mr. Pusey worked at his idea, and in 1889 he patented paper matches. He tried to interest people in his invention, but for eight years, no one seemed to care. Then in 1897, Pusey got his break. The Mendelsohn Opera Company wanted a special way to advertise their New York opening. They used books of paper matches with their name printed on them.Suddenly everyone was talking about book matches, and paper matches began selling as fast as they were made.  In later years Joshua Pusey sold his rights to the Diamond Match Company for $4000.00. He was known to joke to his friends that he was by then known all over as "the match man," not as a distinguished lawyer who had pled cases before the United States Supreme Court. TO LEARN MORE ns were discovered to activate fires chemically. At some time long before the beginning of recorded history, people in widely separated parts of the world learned how to spark fires at first by the friction of rubbing two sticks together, and later (and more easily) with, flint and steel. However, it was not until 1680 that an Englishman named Robert Boyle discovered that phosphorus and sulfur would burst into flame instantly if rubbed together. He was convinced that the flames were caused not by friction but by something inherent in the nature of the phosphorus and sulfur themselves. He was right. He had uncovered the principal that would ultimately lead to the modern match. In the early nineteenth century, many different chemical fire-starting devices were developed in Europe. Some used Boyle’s phosphorus/sulfur combination, others involved gaseous hydrogen, but all were quite cumbersome and dangerous. In 1827, an English pharmacist named John Walker produced his "sulphuretted peroxide strikables," gigantic, yard-long sticks that can be considered the real precursor of today’s match. Small phosphorus matches were first marketed in Germany in 1832, but they were extremely hazardous. In 1836 in the United States, Alonzo D. Phillips of Springfield, Massachusetts, obtained a patent for "manufacturing of friction matches" and called them locofocos. The danger problem was not resolved until the invention of amorphous (red) phosphorus in 1845. Carl Lundstrom of Sweden introduced the first red phosphorus "safety" matches in 1855.
	Joshua Pusey invented book matches in 1889. He was a well-known lawyer in Pennsylvania before the turn of the century. He smoked cigars. One day he was invited to a dinner party by the Mayor of Philadelphia. He dressed in his best clothes, and all was fine-except for one thing. The big box of wooden kitchen matches he was carrying to light his cigars, stuck out of his vest so much that he felt embarrassed. Why did matches have to be so bulky? He wondered! Why couldn't they be made out of paper instead of wood?
Paper matches would be lighter and much smaller. Mr. Pusey worked at his idea, and in 1889 he patented paper matches. He tried to interest people in his invention, but for eight years, no one seemed to care. Then in 1897, Pusey got his break. The Mendelsohn Opera Company wanted a special way to advertise their New York opening. They used books of paper matches with their name printed on them. pled cases before the United States Supreme Court.