The first match was created in 1805 by Jean Chancel in Paris. This crude match looked nothing like the modern “striking” matches we use today. Instead of using phosphorus, Chancel elected to coat wooden stick with potassium chlorate, sulfur, sugar, rubber, and then dip that stick into the small asbestos bottle filled with sulfuric acid. The connection between acid and the mixture on the stick would start the fire and release very nasty fumes into the face of the user.
However, the “Strike Anywhere Match”, wasn’t really invented until the late 1800s. This is essentially the same match in use today in the boxes of wooden matches with two-colored heads (separation of chemicals).
Photo–Peden seltzer bottle from the Almonte Antique Market
A.R.G. Peden (1849 – 1935) served as police magistrate and town clerk, but also put his name to his family’s line of carbonated beverages. The family store was located…
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