The invention of matches predates that of the lighter. The first friction matches were invented in the early 1800s, with John Walker, an English pharmacist, being credited with creating the first practical friction match in 1827. These matches ignited when struck against a rough surface, making them a significant advancement in fire-starting technology.
On the other hand, the modern lighter as we know it today was developed much later. The earliest forms of lighters, like flint-based designs, started to appear in the mid-1800s but did not become widely accessible until the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of the first reliable lighters was invented by Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner in 1823, known as Döbereiner’s lamp, which used a chemical reaction to create a flame.
In summary, matches were invented first, paving the way for various methods of igniting fire, including the development of lighters in the years to follow.