The first match, which was simpler to use, was developed in 1831 by Charles Sauria, a young French student of nineteen years old.
The match was actually invented by British scientists in 1809. But to ignite these first matches, it was necessary to dip them in concentrated sulfuric acid. It was a dangerous and distracting job.
In 1839, Sauria had the idea to add white phosphorus to a match with only potassium chlorate and sulfur on the tip. This idea allowed the match to light easily. But white phosphorus was poisonous. In the following years, a match with red phosphorus added, known as Swedish matches, was produced. Red phosphate did not poison people, and this new method was healthier. The match produced with white phosphorus was dangerous with the poisonous gas it released. Real and less harmful matches were produced with red phosphorus.
How does a match burn?
At the beginning of the matchsticks are potassium chlorate, antimony sulfide, or sulfur, which are rubbed into paste with glue. Red phosphorus and glass powders are attached to the edge of the box with glue. During friction, the compounds at the head of the garbage catch fire easily and burn the garbage. Today, matches are made entirely by machines, without human touch. Pine trees are chopped in machine benches and turned into garbage. Each machine makes up to 1,000,000 garbage per hour. These rubbish are arranged on metal plates, dipped in various solutions, then dipped in the dough prepared to make the head, and dried in the air stream. It is put into boxes by automatic machines.
Which is one of the oldest match brands in the world?
The Diamond Match Company
The Diamond Match Company was the largest manufacturer of matches in the United States of America by the late nineteenth century.
The Diamond Match Company was established in 1881. Its founder was Ohio Columbus Barber, and the business was headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The Diamond Match Company took its name from the shape of the match's head that the company produced.