Note 50 — Chapter III

Phosphorus: the yellowish, inflammable substance used in making common matches—in a pure state it burns on exposure to air. Matches—called "Lucifers" or "light-bringers"—were invented in England about 1829. Previous to that time the only way of striking a light was by flint and steel, the spark being caught on a bit of tinder (half-burnt rag) which was then blown into a blaze.