Friction Match 🔔

A friction match is a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with a combustible chemical that ignites when scraped against a rough surface. First invented by accident in 1826 by English chemist John Walker , these "friction lights" allowed for the instant creation of fire without the need for a traditional tinderbox. History and Invention

: In 1826, John Walker was stirring a mixture of chemicals with a stick; when he scraped a dried blob of the mixture against his stone fireplace, it unexpectedly burst into flame. friction match

: Walker began selling his "friction lights" in April 1827. These original matches were about three inches long and used a mixture of antimony sulfide, potassium chlorate, gum, and starch. A friction match is a thin piece of