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A German alchemist named Hennig Brand discovered the phosphorus by accident.
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Robert Boyle invented the first match with sulfer and phosphorus.
Although it was not usable at that time. -
John Walker invented the first friction match using antimony sulfide, potassium chlorate, gum, and starch.
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Walker made little money from his invention.
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The non-toxic French formula for matches was finally adapted to work in the North-American climate, and matches continue to be a cheap, safe, fast way to start fires even today.