The first type of igniter that came into use around 1890, was the so called impact igniter. A paper strip with sulfur on it is brushed against teeth, creating a spark. This can be compared to the system used in toy impact guns.
An improvement to the impact igniter was the flint igniter (circa 1900). A flint is brushed against a small cog wheel, creating a spark that ignites the fuse. This system was more effective than the impact igniter because the flints lasted longer and sparked better.
At the beginning of the 1950s’, the technology of accumulators and batteries had advanced to the point that they could be used as the power supply for an electric igniter. These electric igniters replaced the flint igniters. A wire connected to the battery, glowed and ignited the fuse.