MATCHBOX

Key stage 1: use of fire

As most books and museum displays about the evolution of human society mention, the mastery of fire was one of the most crucial steps in human development. Cooking, warmth and defense followed – allowing humans to develop in a newly accelerated way. As well as the ‘good’ things, there was now potential for explosive damage. Matches are a supremely easy and cheap way for everyone to have access to making fire.