In 1930, Johann Ostermeyer of Athegnenber, Germany, patented his "Improvements in flash lights used for photographic purposes." (UK patent 324,578). The modern photographic safety flash bulb evolved from this design, which used aluminium wire or foil in oxygen. Unfortunately, all too frequently, these versions exploded! The flashbulb was introduced to the American market in 1930 by General Electric. Flash cubes came along in 1966, and the percussively ignitable "Magicube" in 1970.