Safety Match

Swedish chemist Gustaf Erik Pasch in 1844 invented the first safety match in the world. It was a sulfuric acid match. He coated the striking surface with fire-retardant chemicals to make it more difficult to accidentally ignite.

Early matches contained a mixture of sulfur and white phosphorus (also known as yellow phosphorus).

Blue-Tipped Matches in Matchbox

These were prone to spontaneous combustion and posed health risks to workers in match factories as well as people using the matches. Red phosphorus is less flammable and less toxic. Therefore, the red is a much better choice for overall use and much safer in match factories.

J.E. Schroder patented the method of heating the white phosphorus to 250°C in isolation from the air to make red phosphorus. After that, people all over the world began to use red phosphorus to make matches.  Since they were originally made in Sweden, they are also called Swedish matches. In 1855, the Swedish scientist Johan Edvard Leinstrom improved on the method by preventing unintentional combustion by separating the reactive ingredients between the match head and the striking surface.

Of course, all of our matches use red phosphorus and are considered “safety matches.” Now we are able to dye the match tips to fit your style and color scheme.  Call and find out more about how we can personalize your matchboxes to promote your business and services.