TRIBUTE TO THE AUSSIE MATCHBOX

The familiar Redheads matches were first made in Australia in 1909  by Bryant & May, in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond.

However, another brand came to the fore during World War II.

There was scarcely an aspect of life in  this country not affected by rationing, and even  the humble matchbox had to undergo changes to support  the war effort.  Due to limited supplies of phosphorus,  the Federal Match Company  produced boxes with only one striking side. The back of the box was used to advertise war bonds.  There was even a suggestion that  the matches  themselves should be made with a head at each end, to conserve match wood.

GREAT FOR  COLLECTING…. AND VERY  COLLECTABLE

In the early days, entomologists from the Australian Museum  would take empty matchboxes into the field when collecting specimens.   With a bit of protective padding they made cheap and serviceable  containers.

The boxes themselves became collectable when they were printed with colorful images . During the Great Depression young  boys would hang around the docks in port cities offering to buy matchboxes from foreign seamen. The going rate was a penny apiece.

My associate Editor Des loves to pull his chair up to the fire. Here he is with his fave matchbox.

In 1999, businessman Dick Smith produced ‘Dickheads’ matches. It was an amusing pun on the Redheads name, but also a serious protest about Australian made products disappearing from our stores. (Redhead matches are now imported from Sweden).

MATCHBOX FUN AND GAMES

Give your children  a few empty match boxes and they  will entertain themselves for hours .

My siblings and I used to print the letter B in the bottom of a box. We would then trot about annoying people no end by asking if they wanted to see our pet bee. Oh dear!

Here is better trick  published in a  1930’s newspaper;

This little trick is quite easily prepared. Place a few used matches in a matchbox and then fix it up your  sleeve by  slipping an elastic band around your wrist. Remember it must not show. Now take an empty box in your hand, and go to a friend with it. Shake the box  so that the one up your sleeve rattles,  then hand  him  the empty  one to open. He will be so surprised to find no matches.

,

x

You could furnish an entire dolls house with matchbox furniture and many of us did when we were young. I made armchairs and tables, but never a writing desk. It’s pretty cool.

A wriggly snake is simple to make too;

Someone told me recently that her mother would save the foil from Easter Eggs to cover matchbox dolls’ furniture ….what a lovely idea.

It seemed that  disposable lighters would spell the end for matches and their useful boxes, but they are hanging in there.  I still use them to light my  wood fire.

Remember the era of matchstick craft in the 50s and 60s? My partner Rob made the tray shown below to pass a test when he was in the Cubs, circa 1958. Lots of primary school children made them too.

IN CONCLUSION…

A confession.  During my misspent life as a teenager, a matchbox was the cause of one of the  most embarrassing incidents  of my life. I was attending dancing lessons, and lit a cigarette between the waltz and the foxtrot. Not knowing what to do with my match, I thrust it back in the box. Unfortunately it was still burning, and a few seconds later the entire contents ignited. I held the box until 20 odd matches burnt themselves  out. How the cardboard did not catch light I will never know.

I LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS. IF YOU DO LEAVE A COMMENT, REMEMBER TO COMPLETE THE ANTI-SPAM SUM BEFORE YOU PRESS  ‘SUBMIT.