A match is a tool used for fire. This invention was made for the purpose of having a means of making a controlled fire in a small proportion. There are many different types of matches, but it typically made with a wooden stick or stiff cardboard stick coated at one end with a chemical material which allows the match to ignite from the heat of friction when rubbed on a surface.
A match usually consists of three basic parts: a head, which ignites when rubbed against the striking surface; a solid substance to pick up and burn the flame, usually a piece of wood or cardboard; and a handle.
There are usually two types of matches, “safety” and “strike-anywhere” matches. Safety matches were invented in 1844. They are considered safer due to the separation of the combustible ingredients between the match head and its striking surface. Some matches are made with different chemicals which allow the match to burn more vigorously when rubbed against any surface. Safety matches can only ignite when the match is struck against a certain surface where the chemicals from the match head directly line up with the chemicals laid on the striking surface.
Strike-anywhere matches were invented in 1898. These matches were created with the purpose to have the ability to ignite when rubbed or striked against any surface. The chemical dispersed on the match head was highly explosive in comparison to the previous invention, the safety match. Strike-anywhere matches are classed as dangerous good in at least 48 states as of 1905. (Guy 98)
Matches, although useful and convenient in today’s society, are also dangerous and have been the cause of many deaths in the US. 70% of all match ignited fires, killed and injured more people than lighter ignited fires. Matches have caused 9% of all fires where the heat source was specified, and estimates indicate that there were 144,000 reported fires ignited by matches in 2002. Combined, match and lighter fires were the source...