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Matches have become safer, as they can now only be struck on the matchbox's striking strip. TheCrimsonMonkey / Getty ImagesWe've all watched scenes in movies where a character lights a match by striking it against a window or their boot, but if you've tried this in real life, it probably didn't work. That's because most matches today are safety matches. These are designed to ignite only when struck against the specific striking strip on the matchbox or book. The flame occurs due to the combination of an oxidizer (usually potassium chlorate in the match head) and a reducer (typically red phosphate on the striking strip), along with the heat generated by friction when striking the match. Matches are safe because the chemicals are kept apart until the match is struck.
In contrast, the matches shown in those movies are strike-anywhere matches, also known as Lucifers. These matches contain all the necessary chemicals within the head itself. To ignite, all that's needed is friction: The match can be struck on nearly any surface – even your pant leg! Strike-anywhere matches were the first type to be invented, making it much easier to light fires, pipes, and cigarettes. However, they posed a safety risk, as they could easily ignite by accident. Since the invention of safety matches in the mid-1800s, strike-anywhere matches have become far less common.
There are many stories about lighting a safety match without using the box. This is only possible if enough friction creates heat to ignite the match chemicals, even in the absence of the red phosphorus typically found on the matchbox strip. To achieve this, sandpaper serves as an excellent striking surface due to its rough texture that generates substantial friction. Other materials, such as the unglazed ring on the bottom of a mug, might also work. However, applying enough force to produce sufficient friction is often enough to break the match. The most reliable and safest method for lighting a safety match is still the intended way—with the box.
