Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-10-20
Matches.


versal that we scarcely comprehend
they were not always common; but it is
only n few years since the now WELL
known friction match was invented.
The writer well remembers buying for
ten cents the first he ever saw, few
matches in n blue box with piece of
sandpapcr on the bottom ON which to
ignite the match.
The first matches made of which we
have knowledge were merely splints of
soft wood, the ends of which were
dipped in birthstone. These were ignit-
ell by contact with fire, usually burning
tinder that had been ignited by sparks
struck from steel by Tint. For doing
this there were many contrivances. BY
the first process the piece of steel was
held in one hand and struck with the
flint in the other. Sometimes the tin
der was put in the pan of a flint-lock
gun. and ignited by the spark that fell
when the lock was snapped. Then
other inventions were made, The ap-
paratus, we remember, was contrived
SO that high velocity could be given
to a steel wheelb by nsof string, SIM
liar in action to the way boys some
times spin their tops. When this wheel
was revolving rapidly, the steel was
applied and sparks thrown on finder
in chamber below. These sparks, it
will be remembered, were bits of steel
that were raised to 4 red heat struck off
the mass by friction or percussion pro-
duced by applying the steel.
An advance on this was mixing chlor-
ate of potash with the birthstone in
which the ends of the matches were
dipped. These could then be ignited by
bringing them in contact with sulphuric
acid. The discovery of phosphorus in
1850 furnished new means of produc-
ing fire. but its use did not become gen.
eral until during the present century.
At first it was used by rubbing q bit be-
tween folds of crown paper and then
applying sulphur match. Later an
oxide was formed by burning phosphor-
us in vial in which the air was con-
fined. This oxide would adhere to the
sides and bottom of the vial. and when
a sulphur match was touched to it COM
buStion would ensue.
The so-callcd lucifer matches were
invented in 1929, by John Walker. an
English chemist. He covered the ends
of sulphur matches with paste made
of chlorate of potash and sulphuret of
antimony mixed with starch. These
ignited upon being drawn between folds
of sandpaper. improvements now fol-
lowed in rapid succession. First the
sulphuret of antimOny gave way to
phosphorus. and the chlorate of potash
to inter. Then stearine was used to
take the place in part of sulphur. which
diminished the disagreeable smell, and
various other changes were made, until
We have the almost perfect matches of
the present day, designated as congreve
matches.
The so-called safety matches are made
without phosphorus, but the chemicals
with which the ends are tipped cause
phosphorus to burn when they come in
contact with it; consequently they can
not be ignited by friction of any kind
where phosphorus is not present. The
paper on the boxes in which they are
sold is covered with a preparation of
phosphorus, and by drawing the end
of the match across it sufficient ad-
heres to unite with the chemicals and
ignite. These were invented about
1850. They are comparatively little
known in America. although their mer-
its should procure for them better ac-
quaintance. These matches are sold
for II higher price than the ordinary
kind. and at a rate different from
what their mode of construction would
seem to warrant; but even if sold at the
same rate it is doubtful if they would
come into general use, so averse are
people to taking trouble for the sake
of safety. We understand that in some
of the European countries these safety
matches are the only ones that are APP
proved by Government. and that loss or
damage by fires occasioned by the use
of other kinds, or where they are pres
ent, cannot be recovered from insurance
companies ]. SuN.
An incident of the recent Scioto