The energy in sunlight varies enormously, even on clear days, because the water-vapor in the atmosphere absorbs some of the radiant energy emitted by the sun.  This absorbed radiation is chiefly known as infra-red energy, which does not arouse the sensation of light.  When the water-vapor content of the atmosphere is high, the sun, though it may appear as bright to the eye, in reality is not as hot as it would be if the water-vapor were not present.  However, a fire may be kindled by concentrating only the visible rays in sunlight because of the enormous intensity of sunlight.  A convex lens fashioned from ice by means of a sharp-edged stone and finally shaped by melting the surfaces as they are rubbed in the palms of the hands, will kindle a fire in highly inflammable material if the sun is high and the atmosphere is fairly clear.  Burning-glasses are used to a considerable extent at the present time in certain countries and it is reported that British soldiers were supplied with them during the Boer War.  Indicative of the predominant use to which the glass lens was applied in the past is the employment of the term “burning-glass” instead of lens in the scientific writings as late as a century or two ago.

As civilization advanced, leading intellects began to inquire into the mysteries of nature and the periods of pure philosophy gave way to an era of methodical research.  Alchemy and superstition began to retire before the attacks of those pioneers who had the temerity to believe that the scheme of creation involved a vast network of invariable laws.  In this manner the powerful sciences of physics and chemistry were born a few centuries ago.  Among other things the production of fire and light received attention and the “dark ages” were doomed to end.  The crude, uncertain, and inconvenient methods of making fire were replaced by steadily improving scientific devices.

Matches were at first cumbersome, dangerous, and expensive, but these gradually evolved into the safety matches of the present time.  Although they were primarily intended for lighting fires and various kinds of lamps, billions of them are now used yearly as convenient light-sources.  Smoldering hemp or other material treated with niter and other substances was an early form of match used especially for discharging firearms.  The modern wax-taper is an evolutionary form of this type of light-source.

Phosphorus has long played a dominant role in the preparation of matches.  The first attempt at making them in their modern form appears to have occurred about 1680.  Small pieces of phosphorus were used in connection with small splints of wood dipped in sulphur.  This type of match did not come into general use until after the beginning of the nineteenth century, owing to its danger and expense.  White or yellow phosphorus is a deadly poison; therefore the progress of the phosphorus match was inhibited until the discovery of the relatively harmless form known as red phosphorus.  The first commercial application of this form was made in about 1850.