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.

‘Strike! tells the history of Swedish safety matches through their vivid labels and ingenious trade marks, to show how intellectually property is central to cultural histories. This beautifully illustrated book reveals how Swedish safety matches drove global innovation, transforming the humble matchbox into powerful carriers of identity, commerce, and beauty.’

Dan Hunter - Editor A History of Intellectual Property in 50 Objects, Professor, King’s College London

‘This richly illustrated book is a marvel of storytelling covering history, law, worker’s rights, celebrity, royalty and even tea. It sets out the cultural background embodied in a staple consumer item and analyses the multiple intellectual property aspects of the humble match, while demonstrating how trade marks have been overlooked as agents and measures of innovation. In a word, illuminating!’

Jill McKeough - Emeritus Professor, University of Technology Sydney