Playing with fire
John Walker
Matches, one of the greatest technological advances of the 19th century, were invented by a Stockton chemist.
In 1826 at 59 High Street, Stockton-on-Tees a chemist by the name of John Walker made an amazing discovery.
While experimenting with a mixture of potassium chlorate, antimony sulphide and gum he accidentally struck his mixing stick of the hearth and it ignited. He began to sell his 'Sulphurata Hyperoxygenata Fricts' (soon shortened to 'Friction Lights') from his shop in April 1827.
Sadly, despite urging from Michael Faraday, he did not patent his idea and made little money from his friction matches. He died in 1859, at 12 The Square, Stockton, and is buried in Norton church yard.
Unfortunately his shop on Stockton High Street was demolished in 1970 but many of the chemist's artefacts on display at Beamish Open Air Museum are believed to have belonged to John Walker. There is also a bust to commemorate John Walker in the Castlegate Shopping Centre, Stockton near the Swallow Hotel.
Submitted by: Sarah McLusky, 12 September 2003
