How Joshua Pusey Invented the Paper Matchbook
A 1892 patent for a method of creating a booklet of paper matches where the striking surface is tucked inside to prevent accidental fires.
Original patent title: “Flexible match”
A 1892 patent for a method of creating a booklet of paper matches where the striking surface is tucked inside to prevent accidental fires. Granted to Joshua Pusey in 1892 with 4 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a method for manufacturing a matchbook by grouping paper-based matchsticks into a compact, foldable cardboard cover. The key mechanism involves attaching the match heads to a base inside the cover, with the abrasive striking surface located on the interior flap. This design allows the user to fold the cover over the matches, shielding the heads from friction and ignition until the user intentionally opens the book and strikes a match against the designated strip.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover wooden matches or the chemical composition of the match heads themselves.
- Does not cover matchboxes that use a sliding drawer mechanism rather than a folding book cover.
- Does not cover the specific chemical formula for the igniter strip on the outside of the booklet.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
Pusey realized that by placing the striking surface on the inside of the cover, he could make the matches safer to carry and significantly reduce the overall thickness of the product.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Standard cardboard matchbooks found in restaurants and bars
Promotional matchbooks used for advertising campaigns
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This invention fundamentally changed how people carried fire, moving from bulky wooden boxes to a thin, portable format that could fit in a pocket. It became a ubiquitous advertising medium for decades, as the cardboard covers provided a perfect canvas for branding and promotional messaging.
Granted
September 27, 1892
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
While the paper matchbook industry has declined due to the rise of lighters and digital advertising, the basic design remains a standard in the specialty packaging and noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → goods industries.
Market impact
The invention created a new category of portable, disposable fire-starting tools and turned the matchbook into a primary vehicle for mass-market advertising for much of the 20th century.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a method for manufacturing a matchbook by grouping paper-based matchsticks into a compact, foldable cardboard cover. The key mechanism involves attaching the match heads to a base inside the cover, with the abrasive striking surface located on the interior flap. This design allows the user to fold the cover over the matches, shielding the heads from friction and ignition until the user intentionally opens the book and strikes a match against the designated strip.
The clever bit
Pusey realized that by placing the striking surface on the inside of the cover, he could make the matches safer to carry and significantly reduce the overall thickness of the product.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover wooden matches or the chemical composition of the match heads themselves.
- Does not cover matchboxes that use a sliding drawer mechanism rather than a folding book cover.
- Does not cover the specific chemical formula for the igniter strip on the outside of the booklet.
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Limited data
Citation count
14/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$7K – $21K
Midpoint $13K · expired or expiring · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
(1892). How Joshua Pusey Invented the Paper Matchbook (U.S. Patent No. 483,166). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/483166/matchbook-pusey
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Joshua Pusey Invented the Paper Matchbook cover?
A 1892 patent for a method of creating a booklet of paper matches where the striking surface is tucked inside to prevent accidental fires.
Who owns patent US 483166?
Joshua Pusey owns this patent, granted in 1892.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 483166 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 4 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This invention fundamentally changed how people carried fire, moving from bulky wooden boxes to a thin, portable format that could fit in a pocket. It became a ubiquitous advertising medium for decades, as the cardboard covers provided a perfect canvas for branding and promotional messaging.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover wooden matches or the chemical composition of the match heads themselves.
Patent monitoring