Who invented safety matches?

Johan Edvard Lundstrom patented his safety match in 1855, in Sweden. He had come up with the idea of putting some red phosphorous on sandpaper inside the box of matches, with different chemicals on the match head. The match would remain unlit unless it was struck against the specially prepared striking surface.

The matchbook was developed and patented by Joshua Pusey in 1889, with the striking surface on the inside. The Diamond Match Company had invented a similar matchbook, but with the striker on the outside. In 1996, they bought Pusey's patent and made him a job offer with their company. They went on to patent the first nonpoisonous match in the US.

First answer by Dianergr. Last edit by Dianergr. Contributor trust: 159 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question]