dc.description.abstract |
The development of matches was preceded by
centuries of experiment with many methods of fire
making, but the production of fire by spontaneous
chemical reaction was unknown until the 17th century.
A variety of experiments continued until the
friction match, introduced in the 19th century, provided
a means of making fire that was pocketable, reliable,
safe and speedy.
With early methods of fire production it was common
to use specially made splinters tipped with some
combustible substance, such as sulfur, to transfer the
flame. |
en_US |