Before matches were invented, tinderboxes were used in Europe. It contained the flint and steel needed for producing a spark and some vegetable matter to catch the spark.
Modern matches were made possible with the discovery of Phosphorous, which catches fire at low temperatures. The first friction matches were made by john walker in 1872 and phosphorus tipped matches were made in Austria and Germany in 1833.
Safety matches were invented by Gustave Pasch of Sweden in 1844. Here the red phosphorus was painted into the striking surface, instead of all required chemicals in the match head. The matchbox was safe unless it was rubbed on the striking area. Raymond cady made a coating for matches which kept them efficient, even after eight hours underwater.