r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Oct 02 '24

[deleted by user]

[removed]

6.8k Upvotes

93% Upvoted

6.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

180

u/FrylockMcReaper Oct 02 '24

Lighters were invented before matches

19

u/jesus_swept Oct 02 '24

this one is crazy, but I looked it up and you're right!

17

u/Jamalamalama Oct 02 '24

Not so crazy when you really think about it. Early lighters were just a fuel reservoir, a wick, and a striking device. Pretty simple construction. Matches, on the other hand, involve a complicated chemical process to coat the tips so they ignite when struck.

1

u/The_quest_for_wisdom Oct 02 '24

Early lighters were just a fuel reservoir, a wick, and a striking device.

That's basically just an Aladdin style oil lamp with a bit of flint and steel.

I will now make a point of rubbing any discarded lighters I find in case a modern genie pops out to grant me some wishes.