Exactly 200 years ago, John Walker, a chemist from Stockton-on-Tees, invented the humble Friction Match. Walker would have been surprised that his invention literally changed the course of history, affecting the lives of millions of people across the world. The global match industry grew up in the nineteenth century to become perhaps as economically significant then as are today’s tech giants, Amazon and Google.
But working conditions in the match factories, where the majority of the workers were women and children, were grim. Following a landmark matchgirls’ strike in 1888, several Acts of Parliament and international conventions were needed to improve and protect workers’ rights.
This illustrated talk by Mike Pryor takes place at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution and includes a showing of the film John Walker – lighting up the world, made possible by a grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
This is a blended event, which can be attended in person or watched online. Tickets are available here.