A historical figure invented ‘friction lights’, in a “genius” chance, but “did not want to follow his own invention” which continues to be essential today.
In 1826, exactly 200 years ago, an accidental episode would forever change the way we create light and heat.
The English experimental pharmacist John Walker (1781-1859) was mixing chemical substances, trying to produce explosives, when a stick covered with the mixture inadvertently hit a stone in front of the fireplace, creating a spontaneous flame.
Walker was born in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, in the port city of Stockton-on-Tees, in northeast England. James Watt’s (1736-1819) steam engine, the main driver of the advances of the time, was launched commercially in 1776, and the first public railway to use steam locomotives arrived in Stockton, County Durham, in 1825. Four years later, the Rocket locomotive, by engineer George Stephenson (1781-1848), proved that steam locomotives could pull passenger trains at 50 km/h. Shortly afterwards, journeys that took 12 days on horseback could now be completed in just eight hours.
However, people continued to have difficulty lighting the fire that produced that energy. They used stone and steel, or strove to keep embers burning permanently — until Walker’s accidental invention revolutionized the production, application, and portability of fire.
“An adventurer” and his “genius moment”
Walker was trained as a surgeon. But, discouraged by the bloody nature of early 19th century operating rooms, he went back to school to become a pharmacist. In 1826, he spent most of his time producing medicines for humans, horses, cattle and even chickens, according to Alan Middleton, author of A Tale of Hope and Despair: North of England Match Co. West Hartlepool 1932-1954. But in essence, Walker was also experimenting with chemicals.
“Walker was a very kind and intelligent man and, according to some, perhaps an adventurer,” says Middleton. “One of his passions was chemistry. He mixed substances to produce fuzes [os dispositivos que permitem disparar armas] for your farmer friends.”
“One day, he prepared a certain mixture and left it to dry”, he says. “When it dried, he simply banged the piece of wood on the fireplace — and it caught fire. It was the genius moment of something that no one in the world had done before.”
“He realized the commercial possibilities of this. It happened sometime in 1826; we don’t know the exact date, but the first sale took place in April 1827. He called them ‘friction lights’ and were initially sold in the hundreds per can,” explains Middleton.
Walker’s “friction lights” were very thin, flat wooden sticks with one end dipped in a paste made of potassium chlorate, antimony sulfide, gum arabic, and water. When rubbed against a folded piece of sandpaper, the stick caught fire, creating a flame.
They were not perfect, nor patented
Walker kept the formula secret but never patented it. The product was sold at a low cost and the inventor was able to meet demand in Stockton.
But according to the Pharmaceutical Journal, “Walker’s matches were not perfect. The burning sulfur coating sometimes fell off the match, risking damaging the floor or the user’s clothing.”
In 1829, Samuel Jones of London launched his own “Lucifer” matches.an exact copy of Walker’s Friction Lights. They became the first to be mass-produced.
Shortly afterwards, other people began to improve the formula, Derek Judd, president of the British Matchbox and Matchbook Label Society (BML&BS), tells the BBC.
The size and shape of the can packaging were also being changed. It was only in 1844 that a version produced in Sweden popularized the modern matchbox.
“This was the first truly patented matchbox,” says Judd.
In many regions, matchmaking has become a cottage industry. They were produced at home, providing families with extra income — although somewhat risky.
“The women and children who lived in the area close to the factory were paid by the piece [não por salário] to make boxes,” says Judd, “until the machines arrived and it became a multimillion-dollar business.”
A flame that still burns
But a later invention caused a notable decline in match production: the lighter.
“The actual volume of business has decreased over the years,” explains Judd. “Companies have disappeared.”
Still, matches remain common throughout the world. In addition to continuing to be an essential product, have also become a fashion accessoryaccording to Middleton. Personalized and special packaging is sold for up to 250 dollars — around 230 euros.
But its inventor remains a little-known figure. Middleton and Judd agree that John Walker, 200 years after his invention, deserves greater recognition.
“Walker was a historical figure who didn’t want to follow his invention,” says Judd. “If I had done so, I might have become better known.”
Fortunately, Stocktonians feel the same way. Many hope that the invention’s 200th anniversary celebrations, which begin on the day of Walker’s birth, May 29, will finally bring the extraordinary local inventor the credit he deserves.
“We hope that, through the events planned for this year and next, more people will learn about their role in the development of the common matches we all use today,” says local council president, Lisa Evans.
“The invention of the friction stick made it possible to create flames instantly, with little effort. And the popularization of matches made domestic and industrial tasks much easier and faster.”
“The flame he created continues to inspire people to this day,” concludes Evans.
