Diamond Match Company
The Diamond Match Company is a brand of matches and toothpicks, and formerly other wood products and plastic cutlery, that has its roots in a business started in 1853 by Edward Tatnall in Wilmington, Delaware. Ownership passed to William H. Swift and Henry Courtney who operated under the name Swift & Courtney and marketed their product as Diamond State Parlor Matches.
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|---|---|
| Industry | Wood products |
| Founded | 1853 |
| Founder | Edward Tatnall |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | William H. Swift, Henry Courtney, O. C. Barber |
| Products | Matches, toothpicks, fire starters |
| Parent |
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Experiencing a boost in business during the American Civil War, Swift & Courtney would acquire other match manufacturers to become the largest match company in the United States. Swift & Courtney was acquired by O. C. Barber in 1880 who rebranded the company Diamond in 1881. Under Barber's ownership, the company would play a major role in developing the city of Barberton, Ohio and spawn the Diamond Rubber Company.
Throughout the twentieth century, Diamond would expand into the forestry business and manufacture other wood and paper products including cotton swabs, ice cream sticks, toothpicks, paper plates, and playing cards. Most of these businesses were divested following the company's 1982 acquisition by James Goldsmith. The match business would continue under the name Diamond Match Company and has been owned by Royal Oak Enterprises since 2017.