The Matchstick

The friction match was accidentally invented in 1826 by John Walker, a British chemist and pharmacist from Stockton-on-Tees.

While experimenting with a chemical paste intended for use in guns, Walker used a wooden stick to stir a mixture of chemicals. After the chemicals had dried on the end of the stick he tried to scrape it off against his stone hearth. To his surprise, the friction caused the stick to burst into flames.