Lundstrom, Johan E.

SUBJECT AREA: Chemical technology, Domestic appliances and interiors

[br]

fl. c. 1855 Sweden

[br]

Swedish scientist credited with the invention of the safety match, first produced in 1855.

[br]

Lundstrom's safety match replaced the friction match, popularly called the "strike-anywhere" match because all the ingredients for ignition were contained in the match head so that any abrasive surface would suffice for striking. These matches ignited easily, in fact too readily, so causing numerous accidents.

It was Professor Anton von Schrötter's discovery of amorphous red phosphorus in 1845 that led to the invention of Lundstrom's safety match. The substance was much less dangerous to handle than the yellow phosphorus that was earlier in use and which had so badly damaged the health of match-factory workers who had to handle it.

In Lundstrom's safety match the chemical constituents for ignition were divided between the match head and the striking surface of the matchbox, so markedly reducing the chances of spontaneous combustion. Lundstrom's patent mixtures were: Match-head: 32 parts potassium nitrate, 12 parts potassium bichromate, 32 parts red lead, 24 parts sulphide of antimony.

Rubbing Surface: 8 parts red phosphorous, 9 parts sulphide of antimony.

[br]

Further Reading

W.T.O'Dea, 1964, Making Fire, London: Science Museum, HMSO (illustrated booklet).

See also the Bryant \& May permanent exhibition in the Domestic Appliances Gallery of the Science Museum, London.

DY