# 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. - **Patent:** US 483166 - **Original title:** Flexible match - **Owner:** Joshua Pusey - **Granted:** 1892 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 4 - **Field:** mechanical, materials ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Standard cardboard matchbooks found in restaurants and bars 2. Promotional matchbooks used for advertising campaigns ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/483166/matchbook-pusey **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US483166 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How the Modern Paper Drinking Straw Was Invented](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/375962/drinking-straw-stone) — A 19th-century patent for a paper tube coated in wax, designed to replace natural rye grass straws for drinking beverages. - [How the Modern Disposable Paper Cup Was Invented](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1032557/dixie-cup-disposable-paper-cup) — A 1908 patent for a sanitary, single-use paper cup designed to prevent the spread of germs from shared public drinking vessels. - [How Margaret Knight's Machine Made Flat-Bottom Paper Bags](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/116842/paper-bag-machine-knight) — This 1871 patent by Margaret Knight describes a machine that automatically folds and glues paper to create flat-bottom bags, a major improvement over earlier V-shaped designs. - [Interchangeable Blades for Folding Pocket Tools](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4669140/leatherman-multitool) — A 1987 patent for a folding pocket knife with split handles that can securely swap out different tools, like saw blades, using a locking pivot block and protective aluminum handles. - [How Earl Tupper Invented the Airtight Plastic Food Container](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2487400/tupperware-airtight-seal) — A 1947 patent for a flexible plastic container with a unique, airtight lid that seals by pressing down on the center, creating the foundation for Tupperware.