- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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