All kinds of methods were devised to increase knowledge of producing fire. The early Greeks found out how to catch the rays of the sun on a burning-glass and produce fire; the Romans achieved the same results through the use of mirrors. [Illustration: PLOWING This is another method man used for rubbing two pieces of wood together. In following this plan he usually used one stick of bamboo and rubbed it back and forth in a slot he had made in another piece of bamboo.] [Illustration: FLINT AND PYRITES In some places it was discovered that if you struck a piece of hard stone, like flint, against another, a spark was produced which could be caught on a bunch of dry grass or moss and so start a fire.] In about A.D. 900, an Arab, named Bechel, discovered phosphorus, but it took almost 800 years more for Haukwitz to learn that when phosphorus was brought into friction with sulphur, fire would result. In another hundred years the world was benefited by the invention of the friction match--and since that time about one-half the people have been carrying matches about with them, able thus to start a fire easily any time. ~FIRE A MARK OF CIVILIZATION~ Fire and man’s knowledge of it have had much to do with man’s progress in civilization. Before man had fire, his life and movements were much like those of other animals. When man had learned to make a fire he was free to move and live anywhere and, therefore, people began to cover more territory. [Illustration: THE FLINT AND STEEL METHOD OF MAKING FIRE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FLINT AND STEEL METHOD Because fire was so important to him, man kept on trying to make this task easier. He finally contrived a tinder box when iron and steel became known. The tinder box is where he kept his flint and the piece of steel which he struck upon the flint. He also kept in the box pieces of cloth or paper on which he caught the sparks so produced.] [Illustration: PISTOL TINDER BOX This is a picture of a tinder box in the form of a pistol. It enabled man to produce sparks in greater numbers and more rapidly.] [Illustration: PRODUCING SPARK WITH FLINT AND STEEL This shows the method for striking the piece of steel against the flint to make the sparks fall on the cloth or paper in the box.] [Illustration: A COMPLETE TINDER BOX SET This picture shows a very complete tinder box set used by the wealthy people in the old days. A man carried this outfit with him just as today he carries matches.] [Illustration: This tinder box set is very neat and compact. It is said still to be used among the Himalayan tribes where it was discovered.] [Illustration: THE FIRST MATCHES THE OXYMURIATE MATCH This match, the first, was introduced in 1505. It was a slip of wood tipped with a chemical mixture. To light it it was necessary to stick its head into a bottle containing acid.] [Illustration: PROMETHEAN MATCH