Strike! - Swedish Safety Matches, Intellectual Property Law, Innovation and Influence

Invented in Sweden in 1844, the safety match illuminated the lives of people around the world. The labels adorning these matchboxes were equally illuminating. There was a time when matchboxes were ubiquitous, carried in the pockets of people around the world. For this reason, the humble matchbox was embraced as a vehicle for influence. As the home of the safety match, Swedish matchbox labels became a valuable commodity in and of themselves. Swedish match factories were not just selling safety matches. They were selling a message to the people of Sweden and around the world. Strike! brings this forgotten world to life, showcasing hundreds of full colour Swedish matchbox labels. It also serves as a reminder of intellectual property law's pervasive historical influence, deeply interwoven into all facets of our lives.