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A predecessor of the match, small sticks of pinewood impregnated with sulfur, was developed in China in the 6th century AD.

The first modern match was invented in 1805 by K. Chancel, assistant to Professor L. J. Thénard of Paris. The head of the match consisted of a mixture of potassium chlorate, sulfur, sugar, and rubber. They were ignited by dipping the tip of the match in a small asbestos bottle filled with sulfuric acid. This kind of match was quite expensive and its usage was dangerous, so Chancel's matches never gained much popularity.

The first friction match was invented by English chemist John Walker in 1827. Early work had been done by Robert Boyle in the 1680s with phosphorusPhosphorus is the chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent, nonmetal of the nitrogen group, phosphorus is commonly found in inorganic phosphate rocks and in all living cells but is never naturally fo and sulfur, but his efforts had not produced useful results. Walker discovered a mixture of antimonyAntimony is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Sb ( L. Stibium) and atomic number 51. A metalloid, antimony has four allotropic forms. The stable form of antimony is a blue-white metal. Yellow and black antimony are unstable non- (III) sulfideIn chemistry, a sulfide sulphide in British and Canadian English) is a combination of sulfur with an oxidation number of -2, with another chemical element or a radical thereof. A few covalent sulfur compounds, such as carbon disulfide (CS) and hydrogen su, potassiumpotassium calcium Na K Rb Full table General Name, Symbol, Numberpotassium, K, 19 Series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1(IA), 4 , s Density, Hardness 856 kg/m3, 0. 4 Appearance silvery white Atomic properties Atomic weight 39. 0983 amu Atomic radius chlorateChlorate is the common name of the polyatomic ion ClO-. Chlorates are powerful oxidizers and should be kept away from organics or easily reducible materials. Chlorates were once widely used in pyrotechnics, though their use has fallen due to their instabi, gumA number of different things are called gum : gums the soft tissue partly covering teeth Chewing gum Bubblegum Guar gum Gum arabic Postage stamp gum Gum Springs, Arkansas, a town Trees: Gum tree Eucalyptus Australia and cultivated in other warm areas) Bla, and starchStarch is a complex carbohydrate which is insoluble in water. Starch (in particular cornstarch) is used in cooking for thickening sauces. In industry, it is used in the manufacture of adhesives, paper, and textiles. Biochemistry In biochemistry, starch is could be ignited by striking against any rough surface. Walker called the matches congreves, but the process was patented by Samuel Jones and the matches were sold as lucifers. The early matches had a number of problems -- the flame was unsteady and the initial reaction was disconcertingly violent; additionally the odor produced by the burning match was unpleasant. Despite these problems, the new matches were responsible for a marked increase in the number of smokers.

In 1831, Frenchman Charles Sauria added white phosphorus to remove the smell. These new matches had to be kept in a airtight box but were popular. Unfortunately, those involved in the manufacture of the new matches were afflicted with " phossy-jaw" and other bone disorders, and there was enough white phosphorus in one pack to kill a person. There was a vociferous campaign to ban these matches once the dangers became known.

The safety match was invented in 1844 by the Swede Gustaf Erik Pasch and improved by Johan Edvard Lundström a decade later. The safety is due to the separation of the combustible ingredients between the match head and a special striking surface. The striking surface is composed of powdered glass and red phosphorus, and the match head was composed of antimony (III) sulfide and potassium chlorate. The act of striking converts the red phosphorus to white by friction heat; the white phosphorus ignites and the ignition starts the combustion of the match head. The additional safety was the replacement of white phosphorus with red phosphorus. An American company developed a similar match using phosphorus sesquisulfide and patented it in 1910.

The development of a specialised matchbook with both matches and a striking surface did not occur until 1890 with the American Joshua Pusey.