Match 63904 224575455 2008-07-09T14:13:24Z Husond 1732934 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/66.240.35.177|66.240.35.177]] to last version by Pyrotec (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{otheruses}} [[Image:Streichholz.jpg|thumb|An igniting match]] A '''match''' is a consumable [[tool]] for lighting a [[fire]] under controlled circumstances on demand. Matches are readily available, being sold by [[tobacconist]]s and many other kinds of shops. Matches are rarely sold singly; they are sold in multiples, packaged in match boxes or [[matchbook]]s. A match is typically a [[wood]]en stick (usually sold in match boxes) or stiff [[paper]] stick (usually sold in matchbooks) coated at one end (the '''match head''') with a material often containing the element [[phosphorus]], which will ignite from the heat of [[friction]] if rubbed ("struck") against a suitable surface.<ref name = oxford>Concise Oxford</ref> Gelatin is used as a binder in match heads. There are two main types of matches: '''safety matches''', which can be struck only against a specially prepared surface; and '''strike-anywhere matches''', for which any solid surface can be used. Match-type compositions may also be used to produce [[electric match]]es, which are fired electrically. These items do not rely on the heat of friction. ==History of the term ''match''== '''match''': 1350–1400; [[Middle English]] ''macche'' (''[[Candle wick|wick]]'') < [[Middle French]] ''meiche'', [[Old French]] ''mesche'' < [[Vulgar Latin]] *''mesca'' (''[[Oil lamp|lamp]] wick''), [[Metathesis (linguistics)|metathetic]] variant of [[Latin]] ''myxa'' < [[Greek language|Greek]] ''mýxa'', ''μυξα'', (''[[mucus]]'', ''[[nostril]]'', ''[[nozzle]] of a lamp'')<ref>match. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/match (accessed: February 05, 2007).</ref> Historically, the term ''match'' referred to lengths of [[rope|cord]], or later [[cambric]], impregnated with chemicals, and allowed to burn continuously.<ref name = oxford/> These were used to light fires and set off [[gun]]s and [[cannon]]s. Such matches were characterised by their burning speed, e.g. '''quick match''' and '''slow match'''; depending on their formulation, they could provide burning rates of between, typically, 1 second and 15 seconds per [[centimetre]]. The modern equivalent of this sort of match is the simple [[fuse (explosives)|fuse]], still used in [[pyrotechnics]] to obtain a controlled time delay before ignition. The original meaning of the word still persists in some pyrotechnics terms, such as ''[[black match]]'' (a [[black powder]]–impregnated fuse) and ''Bengal match'' (a [[firework]] producing a relatively long-burning, coloured flame). But, when friction matches were developed, they became the main object meant by the term. ==History of the modern match== A predecessor of the match, small sticks of pinewood impregnated with [[sulfur]] were developed in [[China]] in [[577]] A.D.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}. The first modern, self-igniting match was invented in 1805 by K. Chancel, assistant to Professor [[Louis Jacques Thénard]] of [[Paris]]. The head of the match consisted of a mixture of [[potassium chlorate]], sulfur, [[sugar]], and [[rubber]]. They were ignited by dipping the tip of the match in a small [[asbestos]] bottle filled with [[sulfuric acid]]. This kind of match was quite expensive and its usage was dangerous, so Chancel's matches never gained much popularity. ==Friction matches== [[Image:Ignition_of_a_match.jpg|thumb|right|Ignition of a match]] The first "friction match" was invented by English chemist [[John Walker (inventor)|John Walker]] in 1827. Early work had been done by [[Robert Boyle]] in the 1680s with phosphorus and sulfur, but his efforts had not produced useful results. Walker discovered a mixture of [[Stibnite|antimony(III) sulfide or stibnite]], [[potassium chlorate]], [[natural gum|gum]], and [[starch]] could be ignited by striking against any rough surface. Walker called the matches ''congreves'', but the process was patented by Samuel Jones and the matches were sold as ''[[lucifer]] matches''. The early matches had a number of problems - the flame was unsteady and the initial reaction was disconcertingly violent; additionally, the odor produced by the burning match was unpleasant. It is described as a ''firework'' odor. Despite these problems, the new matches were responsible for a marked increase in the number of [[tobacco smoking|smokers]] {{Fact|date=June 2007}}. Lucifers reportedly could ignite explosively, sometimes throwing sparks at a considerable distance. In the [[Netherlands]] matches are still called ''lucifers''. In 1830, [[France|Frenchman]] [[Charles Sauria]] added [[Phosphorus#Allotropes|white phosphorus]] to remove the odor. These new matches had to be kept in an airtight box but were popular. Unfortunately, those involved in the manufacture of the new matches were afflicted with ''[[phossy jaw]]'' and other bone disorders, and there was enough white phosphorus in one pack to kill a person. There was a vociferous campaign to ban these matches once the dangers became known. ===Noiseless matches=== The '''noiseless match''' was invented in 1836 by the [[Hungarian people|Hungarian]] [[János Irinyi]], who was a student of [[chemistry]].<ref name="Patent">{{cite web|title=János Irinyi|publisher=Hungarian Patent Office|url=http://www.mszh.hu/English/feltalalok/irinyi.html|accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> An unsuccessful experiment by his professor, Meissner, gave Irinyi the idea to replace potassium chlorate with [[lead dioxide]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Development of matches|publisher=''Encyclopædia Britannica''|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-294025/Janos-Irinyi|accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> in the head of the phosphorus match.<ref name="Patent"/> He liquefied phosphorus in warm water and shook it in a glass foil, until it became [[granular material|granulated]]. He mixed the phosphorus with [[lead]] and [[gum arabic]], poured the paste-like mass into a jar, and dipped the pine sticks into the mixture and let them dry. When he tried them that evening, all of them lit evenly. Irinyi thus invented the ''noiseless'' match and sold the invention to István Rómer, a match manufacturer. Rómer, a rich Hungarian pharmacist living in [[Vienna]], bought the invention and production rights from Irinyi, the poor student, for 60 [[forint]]s. The production of matches was now fully underway. István Rómer became richer off Irinyi's invention, and Irinyi himself went on to publish articles and a textbook on chemistry and founded several match factories.<ref name="Patent"/> ===Reformulation to remove white phosphorus=== The early matches, including the ''Noiseless match'', were dangerous to both the users and the people making them. This was due to the use of white phosphorus. The search for a replacement for white phosphorus led to what was known as the '''safety match'''. However, this term is now confusing as it covers both the modern safety match and the modern strike anywhere match. These two different types of matches are discussed separately below. Both of these types of matches were more expensive to make than white phosphorus-based matches, and customers continued to buy white-phosphorus based matches. Laws prohibiting the use of white phosphorus in matches generally had to be passed before these safer types of matches came into widespread usage. [[Finland]] banned white-phosphorus based matches in 1872; [[Denmark]] in 1874; [[Sweden]] in 1879; [[Switzerland]] in 1881 and [[the Netherlands]] in 1901. An agreement, the ''Berne Convention'', was reached at [[Berne]], Switzerland, in 1906 to prohibit the use of white phosphorus in matches.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} This required each country to pass laws prohibiting the use of white phosphorus in matches. [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Great Britain]] passed a law in 1908 prohibiting its use in matches after [[31 December]] [[1910]]. The [[United States]] did not pass a law, but instead placed a punitive tax on white-phosphorus based matches in 1913. [[India]] and [[Japan]] banned them in 1919; and [[China]] in 1925. ===Safety matches=== [[Image:Matches.jpg|thumb|right|Household safety matches, including one burnt match]] The '''safety match''' was invented in 1844 by the [[Sweden|Swede]] [[Gustaf Erik Pasch]] and was improved by [[John Edvard Lundström]] a decade later. Their safety is due to the separation of the combustible ingredients between a match head on the end of a paraffin-impregnated splint and a special striking surface; and the replacement of white phosphorus with [[Phosphorus#Allotropes|red phosphorus]]. The striking surface is composed of typically 25% powdered [[glass]], 50% red phosphorus, 5% neutralizer, 4% carbon black and 16% binder; and the match head is typically composed of 45-55% [[potassium chlorate]], with a little sulphur and starch, a neutralizer (ZnO or CaCO<sub>3</sub>), 20-40% of siliceous filler, diatomite and glue.<ref>[http://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/phys/phosphor.htm#Fire Phosphorus]</ref> Some heads contain [[antimony(III) sulfide]] so they burn more vigorously. Safety matches ignite due to the extreme reactivity of phosphorus with the potassium chlorate in the match head. When the match is struck the phosphorus and chlorate mix in a small amount forming something similar to the explosive [[Armstrong's mixture]] which ignites due to the friction. The Lundström brothers - James and Gray - had obtained a sample of red phosphorus from [[Albright and Wilson|Arthur Albright]] at [[The Great Exhibition]], held at [[The Crystal Palace]] in 1851, and made safety matches with it.<ref name = threfall>Threfall</ref> They misplaced the matches and did not try them until just before the [[Paris]] Exhibition of 1855. They were still usable.<ref name = threfall/> The Swedes long held a virtual world-wide [[monopoly]] on safety matches, with the industry mainly situated in [[Jönköping]].<ref name = threfall/> In [[France]], they sold the rights to their safety match [[patent]] to Coigent Père & Fils of [[Lyon]], but Coigent contested the payment in the French courts, on the basis that the invention was known in [[Vienna]] before the Lundström brothers patented it.<ref name = threfall/> The British match manufacturer [[Bryant and May]] visited Jönköping in 1858 to try to obtain a supply of safety matches but were unsuccessful. In 1862 they set up [[Bryant and May Factory, Bow|their own factory]] and bought the rights for the British safety match patent from the Lundström brothers.<ref name = threfall/> Safety matches are classed as [[dangerous goods]], "U.N. 1944, Matches, safety", and they are not universally forbidden on [[aircraft]]; however, they must be declared as dangerous goods and individual airlines and/or countries may impose tighter restrictions.<ref name=iata-dg>[[IATA]](2007). ''Dangerous Goods Regulations: Effective 1 January - 31 December 2007. Produced in consultation with [[ICAO]]''. Montreal: International Air Transport Association. ISBN 92-9195-780-1.</ref> ===Strike anywhere matches=== Two French chemists, Savene and Cahen, developed a safety match using [[phosphorus sesquisulfide]]. They proved that the substance was not poisonous, that it could be used in a "strike anywhere" match and that the match heads were not explosive.<ref name = threfall/> They patented a safety match composition in 1898 based on phosphorus sesquisulfide and potassium chlorate.<ref name = threfall/> [[Albright and Wilson]] developed a safe means of making commercial quantities of phosphorus sesquisulfide in the United Kingdom in 1899 and started selling it to match makers.<ref name = threfall/> In 1901 Albright and Wilson started making phosphorus sesquisulfide at their [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]] plant for the U.S. market, but American manufacturers continued to use white phosphorus based matches.<ref name = threfall/> The Niagara Falls plant stopped making it until 1910, when the [[United States Congress]] forbade the shipment of white phosphorus matches in interstate commerce.<ref name = threfall/> At the same time the largest producer of matches in the USA granted free use, in the USA, of its phosphorus sesquisulfide safety match patents.<ref name = threfall/> In 1913 Albright and Wilson also started making red phosphorus at Niagara Falls.<ref name = threfall/> Strike-anywhere matches are classed as [[dangerous goods]], "U.N. 1331, Matches, strike anywhere"; and their carriage is forbidden on both passenger aircraft and cargo-only aircraft.<ref name=iata-dg/> ==Special purpose matches== [[Image:Extra Long Matches.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Extra long matches for extra safety]] '''Storm matches''' (also known as [[lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboat]] matches or flare matches), a component of many a [[survival kit]], have a strikeable tip like a normal match but much of the remainder of the stick is coated with a combustible compound which will keep burning even in a strong wind. They have a [[wax]] coating to make them waterproof. '''Bengal matches''' are small hand-held [[fireworks]] akin to [[sparkler]]s. They are similar to storm matches in form but include compounds of [[strontium]] or [[barium]] in the compound on the stick to produce a red or green flame respectively. ==Matchbooks== {{main|matchbook}} [[Image:Sianow.jpg|thumb|left|A box of safety matches, some of which are greatly prized by [[phillumeny|phillumenists]]]] The development of a specialised [[matchbook]] with both matches and a striking surface did not occur until the 1890s with the American [[Joshua Pusey]], who later sold his patent to the [[Diamond Match Company]]. The Diamond Match Company was later bought by Bryant and May. The hobby of collecting match-related items, such as [[matchcover]]s and matchbox labels, is called [[phillumeny]]. ==Fires due to lit matches== *The [[Cocoanut Grove fire]] of [[1942]], the deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history, was started when an artificial palm tree caught fire when a busboy struck a match for illumination while changing a [[incandescent light bulb|light bulb]]. *The [[King's Cross fire]] was a devastating underground fire in [[London]] on [[18 November]] [[1987]] which killed 31 people. It was caused by rubbish and [[Petroleum|grease]] beneath wooden [[escalator]]s being ignited, probably by a discarded match. *A 10-year-old boy started the Buckweed Fire, of the [[October 2007 California wildfires]], by playing with matches. With a series of [[wildfires]] blazing across the southern part of the state, Buckweed destroyed over 38000 acres of land and 63 structures. <ref>{{cite news | title= Police: Boy playing with matches started 38,000-acre fire | date=[[2001-10-31]] | url =http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/31/fire.california/index.html | work =[[CNN]] | accessdate = 2007-11-13}}</ref> ==Notes== <div class="references-small"> <!--See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags--> <references/> </div> ==References== * Beaver, Patrick, (1985). ''The Match Makers: The story of Bryant & May''. London: Henry Melland Limited. ISBN 0-907929-11-7. * Emsley, John, (2000). ''The Shocking History of Phosphorus: A biography of the Devil's element''. Basingstoke: Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 0-333-76638-5. * Threlfall, Richard E., (1951). ''The story of 100 years of Phosphorus making: 1851 - 1951''. Oldbury: Albright & Wilson Ltd. * Oxford (1999). ''Concise Oxford Dictionary''. Tenth Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. * Steele, H. Thomas (1987). ''Close Cover Before Striking: The Golden Age of Matchbook Art''. Abeville Press. ==See also== *[[Ivar Kreuger]] *[[Swedish Match]] *[[Lighter]] *[[London matchgirls strike of 1888]] *[[Permanent Match]] *[[Phossy jaw]] *''[[The Little Match Girl]]'', a Danish fairy tale related to matches *[[Vesta case]] *[[Phillumeny]] ==External links== {{Commons|Match}} * {{cite web | url=http://chemistry.about.com/od/everydaychemistry/a/matches.htm | title = History of Chemical Matches | work = Chemistry.about.com }} * {{cite web | url=http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blmatch.htm | title = The History of Matches | work = Inventors.about.com }} * {{cite web | url=http://www.matchcovers.com/first100.htm | title = History of matchbooks | work = Matchcovers.com/first100.htm }} * {{cite web | url=http://www.swedishmatch.com/ | title = Swedish Match - Match manufacturer | work = swedishmatch.com }} * {{cite web | url=http://www.matchcover.org | title = The Rathkamp Matchcover Society | work = matchcover.org }} * {{cite web | url=http://www.europematch.eu | title = Europe Match GmbH - Match manufacturer | work = Europematch.eu }} * A [http://www.matchrockets.com/fire/mr.html site] demonstrating [[jet engine|jet propulsion]] using matches and foil [[Category:Collecting]] [[Category:Firelighting]] [[Category:Hiking equipment]] {{Link FA|hu}} [[ar:عود ثقاب]] [[zh-min-nan:Hoan-á-hoé]] [[bg:Кибрит]] [[ca:Misto]] [[cs:Zápalky]] [[da:Tændstik]] [[de:Streichholz]] [[et:Tuletikk]] [[el:Σπίρτο]] [[es:Fósforo (utensilio)]] [[eo:Alumeto]] [[fa:کبریت]] [[fr:Allumette]] [[gl:Misto]] [[zh-classical:火柴]] [[ko:성냥]] [[io:Alumeto]] [[id:Korek api]] [[it:Fiammifero]] [[he:גפרור]] [[ka:ასანთი]] [[sw:Kibiriti]] [[lb:Fixspoun]] [[lt:Degtukas]] [[ln:Alimɛ́ti]] [[hu:Gyufa]] [[ms:Mancis]] [[nl:Lucifer (vuur)]] [[nds-nl:Striekzwevel]] [[ja:マッチ]] [[no:Fyrstikk]] [[nn:Fyrstikk]] [[nds:Rietsticken]] [[pl:Zapałka]] [[pt:Palito de fósforo]] [[ro:Chibrit]] [[qu:Ninachaq]] [[ru:Спичка]] [[scn:Cirinu]] [[simple:Safety match]] [[sk:Zápalka (palička)]] [[sl:Vžigalica]] [[fi:Tulitikku]] [[sv:Tändsticka]] [[ta:தீக்குச்சி]] [[te:అగ్గిపుల్ల]] [[th:ไม้ขีดไฟ]] [[tg:Гӯгирд]] [[tr:Kibrit]] [[uk:Сірники]] [[bat-smg:Sierčiks]] [[zh:火柴]]