Friday, August 2, 2019

Freaky Friday Fun Fact...!

Here is a bit of interesting product history for ya. I realize that many of you probably already knew this, but Here it is again anyway.

Friction Matches



While matches existed in China in the 6th century and Europe from the 16th century, it was not until the 1800s that friction matches as we know them today were invented. The first “friction match” was invented by English chemist John Walker in 1826. Early work had been done by Robert Boyle and his assistant, Godfrey Haukweicz in the 1680s with phosphorus and sulfur, but their efforts had not produced useful results. Walker discovered a mixture of stibnite, potassium chlorate, 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 (as they are still known in the Netherlands). In 1862, Bryant and May, the British match manufacturers began mass producing the red tipped matches we all know today, after the patent by the Lundström brothers from Sweden.

Just another useless fact to add to those already garnered from these postings from yours truly. Just file it away under "paltry trivia", OK?

Coffee out on the patio again today.

8 comments:

Mamahen said...

I Love the interesting little tidbits of trivia picked up here:)) Have a good weekend HJ:))

bigfoot said...

Today's "Strike Anywhere" matches are pretty crappy quality. 30 years ago they were great.
Corporate cheapening of all things in pursuit of higher profits!!

Sixbears said...

Strike anywhere matches are pretty hard to come by -especially the good ones.

Cool mornings and warm days here in the North Country. Pretty nice time of year.

Gorges Smythe said...

Ditto with Sixbears, no doubt they're trying to protect us from ourselves.

linda m said...

I do love the "trivia" you provide for us. I always share it with my hubby and friends. Todays matches are crap - give me some of those old fashioned good ones. Have a great weekend.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mamahen...
Glad you like the trivia post I do.
Thanks for coming over today!

Hey Bigfoot...
I agree that the quality isn't the same as it used to be, sadly.
Tanks for stopping by today!

Hey Sixbears...
Sure aren't as plentiful as they once were. I love it when the mornings are cool.
Thanks for the visit today!

Hey Gorges...
That's very possible. Guess we all need the "protection!"
Thanks for stopping by this morning!

Hey Linda...
Sharing these bits of trivia is what makes them fun, in my opinion.
Many thanks for dropping by today!

JO said...

I didn't know the history of matches so thank you. Always something new to learn here.

Not to bad of a morning but still humid. See you all on the patio

texasann said...

Another handy bit of info, if you ask me. Always appreciated 👍

Big hugs ~