Matches are a product which everyone needs and which most can afford. During this period, people move in large numbers from the countryside to the city. As the consumption of gas, paraffin, carbide and petroleum rises, for cooking, heating and lighting, so too does the demand for ignition agents.
The safety match sees its commercial breakthrough in the 1870s, when large-scale mechanization of manufacturing takes place. It is only then that safety matches become a mass-produced commodity with high quality at a low cost.
Vulcan in Tidaholm
Tändsticksfabriks AB Vulcan is founded in Tidaholm in 1868 by wholesale merchant Charles E Bratt together with Baron Hans Henrik von Essen (whose favorite stallion was named Vulcan). At the beginning of the 20th century, the company merges with Jönköpings Tändsticksfabrik and the new company, named AB Jönköping-Vulcan Tändsticksaktiebolag, becomes the world’s largest matchstick factory with 1 600 employees. Two million boxes are produced per day and most are sold for export.
Svenska Tändsticks AB
During World War I, the Swedish matchstick industry has consolidated into only two large companies: AB Jönköping-Vulcan Tändsticksaktiebolag and AB Förenade Tändsticksfabriker. AB Förenade Tändsticksfabriker is led by Ivar Kreuger, who also initiates a merger of the two companies. In the autumn of 1917 Svenska Tändsticks Aktiebolaget (STAB) is founded, with Ivan Kreuger as director. Following the merger, STAB expands rapidly internationally and becomes the sole or dominant owner of match manufacturing companies in 33 countries. The Wall Street Crash in New York and the dramatic death of Ivar Kreuger lead to grave consequences for STAB. The company is declared bankrupt – but survives against all odds.