WATERPROOF MATCHES

Evening Star, Issue 25634, 7 November 1945, Page 7

WATERPROOF MATCHES

AMERICA NOT SOLE INVENTOR N.Z. PRODUCED THEM FOR PACIFIC USE <P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 6. A claim has been made that American chemists have produced a waterproof match, which lights wnen wet, and that for a year and a-half it was kept a military secret. Such a match was produced early in 1943 by the New Zealand .Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for use by the Dominion forces in the Pacific. "At that time much research and industrial development work was being put into the production of a compact, light-weight individual ration for crouical use," said Mr L. W. Tiller, who carried out the experiments into the " amphibious match." The work, he added,, was iu the hands of specialists of the Army, Air Force, and the department, and many manufacturing firms Horn Auckland to Dunedin gave invaluable assistance on specific problems. Tobacco and matches Were included 111 the ration, he said, and it was realised that under jungle conditions it, was essential that the matches should remain unaffected by the high tropical humidity and immersion in water. At | that time no force in the Pacific had waterproof matches. After- a series of experiments Mr Tiller was able to produce a match | that called forth the highest commendation from officials of the United States Joint Purchasing Board. He placed some matches for some time in a claw? of water before the interviewer, and had no difficulty in lighting them afterwards. The matches could remain immersed for several hours with no had ofi'oct. Mr Tiller said.