Matches Collection (sorted by type)

1) White Phosphorus Matches
1831-1906 (when the white phosphorus was banned)
The white phosphorus match was invented in 1831 by Charles Sauria, who added the phosphorus to the first matches invented just 4 years before by John Walker. It results in a less violent combustion of the match.

reproduction - Sources: Goosebay

2) Swedish Matches / Safety Matches
1844
It was invented by Gustaf Erik Pasch. He introduced a strike surface with red phosphorus because of the autoignition of the white one. No more accidental starting was registered.

Sources: Wikipedia

3) Wind Matches
first decade of 20th century
The wind matches was manufactured with many other type (like pull matches and waterproof ones) to add the possibility of use in special conditions. In this case the surface was enlarged on the wood stick.

Sources: Museo Saffa

4) Pull Matches
first decade of 20th century

Sources: Museo Saffa

5) "Candelotti"
first decade of 20th century
The wood stick was replaced by a wax candle to burn for a longer period.

Sources: Museo Saffa

6) Strike Anywhere Matches
1898 (invention)
The Strike Anywhere Matches was invented in 1898 by Savene and Cahen, who added Phosphorus Sesquisulfide on the head of the match. They can be switched on any surface.

Sources: Wikipedia (year/history), diamond (photo)

7) Water Proof Matches
first decade of 20th century

Sources: Ozark Trail's

8) Double Match
2001

Sources: paoloulian.it

Sources:
Wikipedia
Corriere della Sera

A Graphic Design Revolution

It was 1906 when in the communication design something changed.
It all began with a poster competition sponsored by Berlin's Priester Matches Company, for which a young graphic designer, Lucian Bernhard, designed the advertising that became the father of a new form, called Sachplakat, or the object poster.
The Priester Match Poster presents just two matches and the name Priester.

Adler, Lucian Bernhard

Stiller, Lucian Bernhard

Sources:
PrintMag
Aiga
International Poster

'l Brichèt!

The english word match describes a "stick for striking fire" first used in the late 14c as macche. It comes from the word meiche (i.e. wick of a candle), from micca/miccia, from the Latin myxus, i, [Gk. mýxa].

The italian word fiammifero comes from the Latin flamma (fiamma) and fero (portare). Also named zolfanello from the chemical composition of its head.

The french word allumette, from the verb allumer [V. Latin alluminare], refers to the power of that stick to create the light.

The word brichèt from the piedmontese dialect comes from the french hriqitet, that is a metal stick used to produce sparks from a flint.

The chinese ideograms 火柴 [Huǒchái] refers to one of the five fundamentals elements, the fire [火] e the material used for the matches, wood [木].

Sources:
Etymonline.com
CNRTL Etymologie
Glossario etimologico Piemontese

Switching on Fire since 1827.

Here begins our trip.
A trip through the history of matches.