Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-08-23

The EupTrion consisted of splint of wood l
dipped in sulphur, and afterwards tipped !
with paste containing chlorate of potash,
colophony and alum. When light was de-
sired, it was dipped into little sulphuic
acid in bottle, and rapidly withdrawn,
when the chlorate of potash, owing to the
strong chemical action which ensues be- |
tween it and the acid, burst into flame, and
set fire to the wood. This match was intro
duced in 1907, and was sold for one shilling
per box. The Promethean match was in
vented in 1928, and was modihed of the
Eupyrion. 1t consisted of roll of gummed
paper, containing at the one end a mixture
OF chlorate of potash and gum, and small
glass bulb filled with sulphuric acid, and
was ignited by breaking the bulb with pair
Of pliers, and allowing the chlorate OF potash
and acid to come into contact. The friction
match was first made in 1882, and resembled
the Eupyrion in every respect, with the ex-
ception that the paste with which it was
tipped contained the additional ingredient
of the sulphate of antimony, and instead of
being dipped in acid 10 cause ignition, it was
merely rubbed firmly between glass paper.
A year afterwards, phosphorus was intro
duced into the match composition, and luci-
fer matches were manufactured for the first
time, although in a much less perfect form
than at present 1t is remarkable that phos- |
phorous was not thought Of before that |
period for the purpose of matchmaking, as |
it was discovered as Tar back as the year |
1869, and its peculiar property of being easily |
| ignited by friction was known soon after
wards. When PHOSPHORUS was discovered
1t was regarded merely as a chemical cn-,,o .,os,.
ty, and was sold for four O.,n O..neas an ounce:
now, however, it has become an article of
4 commerce, and may be bought for less than
half crown per pound.
In luoifer match mandatory, the first
department you enter is that in which the
wood is cut into splints. Each plank is sawn
into thirty blocks, and these, by means of
ancets set in frame which ls worked by
steam, are cut into splints four and half
inches long. One frame may readily pro-
duce from two to three millions of splints
per day. The splints are next collected into
bundles, and dried by exposure in an oven
to the temperature of 800 degrees Fahren
heit They are then conveyed to the sui
phur house, where both ends of each bundle
are dipped in melted sulphur. The next
and last process is called dipping" and
, consists in tipping the ends of the splints in
the phosphorous mixture. The composition
. of this mixture differs according to the
1 country in which the matches are to be con
sumed. Matches for use in moist climates
j. contain less PHOSPHORUS than those for use
= in warm countries, as PHOSPHORUS, when i
o becomes moist, loses its property of com
J. bustion. A match composition for use il
England should contain two parts of phos
phorous, four parts of chlorate of potash
|. two parts of gum, three parts of powderet
a glass, and little Vermillion, or other color
ing matter,
al The phosphorous is the most importan
q, ingredient in the match composition, as thi
g. it is which ignites when the match is sui
ID iected to friction, the combustion being cor
he yeyed to the wood by the chlorate of potas
and sulphur. The gum is introduced for th
10, purpose of making the mixture adhere, an
lie also to protect the phosphorous from th
ly action of the air. Matches which contain
considerable quantity of chlorate of potasl
make swapping noise when lgnited, viii
er those which contain small quantity OF til
IN. substance make very little noise, and requi
less friction for their ignition.
i'd. To return to the process of manufactur
DIS The splints, after being sulphured, are co
ron yeyed TO another room, in which are arran
NV ed plates of stone or iron, covered with t
wi phosphorous composition to the depth OF
ped eighth of an inch, and heated undernea
,a- by steam, for the purpose OF keeping I
the mixture in fluid state. The splints
and dipped once, twice, or even oftener, IT nee
sary. then dried; and as both ends are dipr
avy with the composition, they are next diVid'
the each splint forming two matches. In SO
and manufactures, the splints are divided bet
y to the composition is added. The match
,ned after being packed in boxes, are ready
ight the market.
had The rapidity with which these various
use cesses arc gone through is truly astonishi
was 1t being not unusual in large works to In
my duce the raw wood into the saw-mills in
rhen morning, and few hours afterwards 10
- Il in the form of luCiter matches.
gen- The manufacture of matches is one attic
had ed with considerable danger, owing 10
" all very inflammable nature OF the mater
man used; and those operatives engaged IN
49,, ming the splints with the composition,
a'ner liable to be attacked by very dlstres
sence disease in the lower jaw, caused BY
ID not fumes of the phosphorus. Ihls evil
ever, may be avoided by the use OF a.
next pnUus pnJ;d %;nd which il ouite innocuous
hons, destitute of odor.
rouse Another improvement IN this lnuusuy
ghost made recently IN tne y.
why n,.s;nI ioi sup ~ the snlint. The yery no,
snipburous fumes which the ordinary lu
ely by match evolves when lighted, are thus
mt the away with.
MANY attempts have been made OF i
're 'he reduce the liability of matches to ignil
great accidental friction, as from TINS cause
affair serious calamities have originated. a
fearfsl genious plan ueviseu @ py Dl.i, ~ ,ninmun
ioable. lactIrel' .' -, diS;d,ng tbe match compo
again, into two parts, placing the one on tn
use, in of the splint, and the other containin
ysteryi phosphorons on tne sldT on,u or NJ ;sr;te
: .S.o rubbed against the box.
molish- The statistics of the luclter match
Regent facture are very extraordinary, "a.
which is the great centre OF this lnu
evnorts about two thousand five hu
,...d a TONS Of matches annually. One make
one thousand four hundred matches ic
~, anu farthirg. another offers four thousa
worth boxes ior four pence. In France AM
Offering den. also, the manufacture is very exts
pawued In this country, two hundred and MI