The invention of the match completely revolutionized fire starting.
The first modern friction match was invented in 1827. "Typically, modern matches are made of small wooden sticks or stiff paper. One end is coated with a material that can be ignited by frictional heat generated by striking the match against a suitable surface. Wooden matches are packaged in matchboxes, and paper matches are partially cut into rows and stapled into matchbooks." (Wikipedia)
How Matches Are Made
Glue Used to Manufacture Matches
As seen in the "How It's Made" video, the manufacturing process for matches calls for animal protein - or hide glue (animal glue). It is used within the match head for oxidization. Hide glue is 100% non-toxic, environmentally friendly, biodegradable and 100% recyclable.
Gelatin, another raw material found in many of our glues, is used to bind all of the match head chemicals together.
So what is animal glue really made of? Find out...
