Streichholz

Streichholz is the German word for match, a common tool used to create fire. A typical match consists of a small wooden stick, usually made of pine or aspen, with a chemically treated tip. This tip contains a flammable substance, often phosphorus sesquisulfide, and an oxidizer. When struck against a rough surface, such as the striking strip on a matchbox, the friction generates enough heat to ignite the chemicals. This ignition then transfers to the wooden stick, producing a flame. Matches are a convenient and widely used method for lighting candles, stoves, fireplaces, and cigarettes. There are two main types of matches: safety matches and strike-anywhere matches. Safety matches require a specially prepared striking surface, typically found on the side of a matchbox, to ignite. Strike-anywhere matches, on the other hand, can be ignited by striking them against almost any rough surface. The invention of the match significantly simplified the process of fire-making compared to earlier methods like flint and steel.