The Surprising Explosive Beginnings of the Underwater Match

The discovery of phosphorus can be traced back to 1669 by an alchemist, Hennig Brand. Initially, he was trying to make gold by distilling human urine. One of the productions of this distillation was a glowing substance that eventually became known as 'phosphorus.' It wasn't until centuries later that this substance was used in a practical way -- specifically in the construction of matches. Brand's discovery occurred when many alchemists practiced their crafts to discover a pathway to eternal life or a method for turning ordinary materials into gold. While these lofty goals were eventually dismissed as impossible, they led to some remarkable real-world discoveries, such as phosphorus. Intriguingly, early matches made from this element had a dangerous reputation for igniting spontaneously, so safer alternatives were eventually sought out and produced. That's where 'red phosphorus' comes in - it’s much more stable than its white counterpart and doesn’t ignite unless friction is applied (which is perfect for matches). This eventually led to significant improvements in match design and safety over time. Interestingly enough, after further technological advancements and experiments, underwater or safety matches were developed, which could ignite underwater due to their unique chemical composition, which included an integral part of the brand's accidental discovery-phosphorous! The modern diving or mining industry uses these when regular matches fail due to moist conditions. Henceforth, what started as an absurd attempt turned out to be a path-breaking accidental discovery revolutionizing our day-to-day lives and impacting industries on a larger scale.