What Is the Difference Between an Electric Match and a Squib?

Electric matches are used to ignite fireworks displays.

Squibs and electric matches are both used to create small, controlled explosions. But their designs are not the same, even though electric matches are often incorrectly called squibs, even by pyrotechnicians.

Squibs, Makeup and Function

A squib is a special-effects device that is made of a small amount of combustible material -- usually black powder or gunpowder -- encased in paper or metal and ignited by the current produced by an electric match. Squibs have traditionally been used in films to imitate the burst of gunshots striking a human body. In "The Godfather," actor James Caan was wired with more than 100 squibs to simulate the gunfire in the ambush of his character, Sonny Corleone.

Electric Matches, Makeup and Function

An electric match is a device that commonly is used to ignite pyrotechnic displays and rockets made by hobbyists. It contains a small amount of explosive material that is connected to an external ignition trigger via wires. When the ignition system sends electrical current down the wires, the combustible material pops, igniting the fireworks or rocket fuel.

Misconceptions

In a nutshell, a squib is not part of an electric match, but an electric match is part of a squib. "Electric matches are often called squibs, when in fact, an electric match is only part of a squib," according to the Z11Pyro website.

References

• "The Illustrated History of Pyrotechnics"; K.L. Kosanke and B.J. Kosanke
• Z11 Pyro: Z11's Theatrical Pyrotechnic Glossary
• dictionary.com: Squib
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Video Reviews: DVD collection goes behind the scenes of "The Godfather"; Barbara Vancheri; Oct. 12, 2001