The Datong Public Assembly Hall in Taipei City is holding an exhibit of matchboxes. The display, which includes over 200 matchboxes from the 1960s, provides insight to the lifestyles and design characteristics of that age.
One of the matchboxes is from Taiwan's first privately run bowling alley. The collection also shows that there were already several gyms in operation, which were rare at that time but are a commonplace these days.
In addition, many matchboxes of the period featured images of Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan and other scenic spots that remain popular to this day.
The matchbox exhibit, which runs through June 30, has been made possible by Zhuang Yung-ming, a cultural historian, who has made his private collection available.
Zhuang said at the opening reception over the weekend that he has collected over 1,000 matchboxes and that he hopes in the future to use the matchboxes to create a large map of Taipei City, helping bring back memories of the place as it was nearly 50 years ago.
“To light a match, you sometimes had to strike the match against the matchbox a couple of times before it would work,” Zhuang said. “You also had to be careful that the wind wouldn’t blow the fire out. Just thinking of these things brings back fond memories for me.”
Matchboxes were a part of popular culture of the time, Zhuang added.
Zhang Li-ling, who planned the exhibit, said that when Taiwan's economy began to take off in the 1960s, more and more restaurants and recreational venues came into being.
“But as the media weren’t nearly as prevalent back then, matchboxes were the best way to advertise,” Zhang said. “So this exhibit will allow visitors a glimpse into the past, while also giving them an opportunity to look at the intricate designs on the matchboxes.”
(This article originally appeared in The Liberty Times May 29.)