Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-12-09
EVOLUTION OF THE MAToA
Enormous Growth in Manufacture Since
the First American Patent was Issued.

Enormous Growth in Manufacture Since
the First American Patent was Issued.
The first United States patent for
friction matches was issued in 1896.
Splints for them were made by saving
or splitting blocks of wood into slivers
slightly attached at the base, the whole
bunch being dipped at once into chlorate
of potash. These were known as "slab"
or "block" Matches and they are in
favor in parts of this country at tho
present day, notably in Maine. Their
chief advantages are that they arc
noiseless and will not leave mark
The first ''lucifer matches" were made
by dipping splints first into melted
sulphur and then into q paste of chlo-
rate of potash and sulphide of anti
mony mixed with gum water. Each
paper box contained about 100 matches
and two pieces of fine sandpaper. They
were lighted by folding the sandpaper
over the end and giving the match a
quick pull. They were manufactured
in England as early as 1888, and a COM
mon name for them was "locofocos. "
The composition used in many of the
early chlorate of potash lucifers IN elted
and dropped while burning, but this
defect was soon remedied. The next
step was to employ phosphorus, render
ing matches easily ignitable with lower
temperature and less exertion. phos-
phorus match will ignite at 140 de-
grees, while it is probable that the
lucifer required at least 300 degrees
The use of phosphorus for matches
dates probably from 1882, being 172-
years after the discovery OF that element
by Brandt, Hamburg chemist. But
the manufacture of phosphorus matches
was attended with great danger to the
workmen from the fumes, which caused
decay of the bones of the jaw. Many
| persons were poisoned from careless
| ness in handling them and numerous
conhagratipns occurred on account OF
the ease with which they were ignited.
The 'parlor match'-in name signifi-
cant that other matches were hardly
suitable for that section of the house
had its origin with the manufacture, in
| 1S4S, of Schrotter's red or amorphous
phosphorus. This product is of scar
| let-red color, has neither odor nor taste,
| is not poisonous and does not take fire
ut ordinary temperatures The latest
important invention in matches secures
the separation of the chemicals, which
in combination are always more or less
dangerous. Thus Is obtained the safety
match" which was invented by a
Swede named Lundst ON, III 1855. The
head of the safety match contains
chlorate of potash and sulphur, while
the friction paper is spread with paste
of amorphous phosphorus and an
timony. This is return to first princi-
pies as shown in splints and acid of the
light box" There are many odd va
rieties of matches now in vogue, such
as the "vestas," of which the splint is
waxcd cord; fusees for lighting in a
wind, with thick, short splint, tipped
with large mass of chlorate of potash
composition; natural gas" matches,
with very long splint for lighting nat
ural gas fires, and many others.
The production of matches has grown
to manufacture of enormous and rap.
idly increasing proportions. Making of
splints in great quantities began with
the invention of Reuben Partridge's
splint-cutting machine. Previously
matches had been cut by hand by
means of collec ton of blades. Now
the splints are forced through dies to
give them round shape. Splint cut
ting is at present separate industry.
The splints are sold by hogsheads to the
match factories, and one machine will
cut 10,OO0,OOO a day. Electricity, how
ever, seems destined to limit the use OF
matches Lighting gas by electricity
has been accomplished for some years,
and the gas jets of most large audi
ence-rooms, theaters and churches in
this country are lighted by electricity
by the pressure of button. In resi-
dences with modern improvements gas
can be lighted in the halls and rooms on
different floors from switchboard sit
uated at convenient location. Wash
ington Star.