The record-union., 1892-11-09
EVOLUTION OF THE MATCH
Enormous Growth in Manufacture
Since the First Patent Issued.

The first United States patent for fric-
ton matches was issued in S39 Splints
for them were made by saving or split
ting blocks of wood into slivers slightly
attached at the base, the whole bunch be-
ing dipped at once into chlorate of potash
These were known as ''slab'' or block"
matches, and they are in favor in many
parts Of this country at the present day,
notably in Maine. Their chief advan-
tages are that they are noiseleSs and Will
not leave mark when scratched upon a
White wall. The first ''lucifer matches1
were made by dipping splints first into
melted sulphur and then into a paste of
chlorate OF potash and sulphide of anti
timony mixed with gum water. Each
paper box contained about 100 matches
and two pieces of fine sandpaper. They
were lighted by holding the sandpaper
over the end and giving the match a
quick pull. They were manufactured in
England as early as 1888, and a common
name for them was "locofocos."
The composition used in many of the
early chlorate of potash lucifers melted
and dropped while burning, but this de-
feet was soon remedied. The next step
was to employ phosphorus, rendering
matches easily ignitable with lower tenn
perature and less eXertion. A phosphorus
match Will ignite at 40 degrees, while it
IS probable that the lucifer required at
4CoSC -OO NtSI06S. L ne use OF phosphorus
Tor matches dates probably from 1892, be-
ing l72 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 care
lessness in handling them and numerous
contagrations occurred on account of the
with W bich thlxT irrnitaH
The ''parlor match"-its name signifi-
cant that other matches were hardly suit
able for that section of the house-had its
origin with the manufacture in l64S, of
Schrotter's red or amorphous phosphOr-
us. This product is of a scarlet-red
color, has neither odOr nor taste, is not
poisonous and does not take fire at ordi-
nary temperatures. The latest important
invention in matches secures the separa-
ton of the chemicals, which in cOmbina-
ton, according to the Washington Star,
are always more or less dangerous. Thus
is obtained the safety MATCH" which
was invented by a Swede named Lund-
strom, in 1885. The head OF the safety
match contains chlorate of potash and
sulphur, while the friction paper is spread
with paste of amorphous phosphorus
and antimony. This is a return to first
principles, as shown in splints and acid
of the light box" There are many old
varieties of matches now in vogue, such
as the "vestas,'' of which the splint is
waxed cord; fusees for lighting in a wind,
with a thick, short splint, tipped with a
large mass ofchlorate of potash compost
ton; natural gas matches, with a very
long splint for lighting natural gas fires,
and many others.
The production of matches has grown
70 a manufacture ofenormous and rapidly
increasing proportions. Making fsplints
in great quantities began with the inven-
ton of Reuben Partridge's splnt-cutting
machine. Previously matches had been
cut by hand by means of collection of
blades. Now the splints are forced
through dies to give them a round shape.
Splint cutting is at present a separate in
dustry. The splints are sold by hogs
heads to the match factories, and one ma
chine will cut 10,00009O a day. Elec-
tricity, however, 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
audience-roOms, theaters and churches in
this country are lighted by electricity by
the pressure of a button. In residences
with modern improvements gas can be
lighted in the halls and rooms on differ
ent floors from switchboard situated at
a convenient location.