266 - Louis WAGNER

WAGNER, resident of Mulhouse (German Empire, at the time) had invented matches without phosphorous tips. 

He obtained patents in numerous countries, such as: 

France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, England, Austria-Hungary, Canada. 

In the introduction to his US patent [1] he explains:

This invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of matches, whereby the use of phosphorus is entirely dispensed with, and far greater safety and economy of manufacture are obtained than by the present method, while the match will readily ignite on any surface, yet not so easily as to incur any risk of casual or spontaneous combustion.

No noxious effluvia or gases are generated by this improved process, which may be carried out without alteration of existing plant, at the same time that artificial drying-chambers may be dispensed with, as the material employed dries quickly in any ordinary temperature, thus enabling the matches to be manufactured, packed, and delivered in a few hours. Another great advantage is that any kind of wood may be used for match-splints.

The improved material employed in this process consists of the following ingredients used in the following proportions :                                                 

On 29 December 1879 WAGNER applied for a corresponding brevet d’importation in Luxembourg under the title of:

Procédé de fabrication d’allumettes sans phosphore, non nuisibles ni dangereuses, à prix modique et prenant feu sur n’importe quel plan de friction

The patent proceeded to grant on 18 August 1880 under the new Patent Law. [2]

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[1] US patent No 251,391

[2] LU patent No 52 

(30/01/2021)