"與普羅米修斯有關的，或以任何方式類似於普羅米修斯的"，來自1580年代的 Prometheus（見該詞條）+ -an。在現代火柴（見 lucifer）出現之前， promethean 是指（1830年）裝有硫酸的小玻璃管，周圍包裹着易燃混合物，當被按壓時點燃並提供方便的光源。相關： Prometheans。
Prometheans are small glass bulbs, filled with concentrated sulphuric acid, and hermetically sealed, and surrounded with a mixture of inflammable materials, amongst which the chlorate of potash forms one ; and the whole being again inclosed or surrounded with paper, also rendered still more inflammable by means of resinous matters. Upon pinching the end containing the glass bulb, between the jaws of a pair of pliers, the bulb breaks, and the sulphuric acid instantly kindles the surrounding materials. ["Arcana of Science and Art," London, 1830]
Prometheans 是小玻璃球，裝有濃硫酸，密封，周圍包裹着易燃材料混合物，其中包括高錳酸鉀； 整個球體再次被紙包裹，通過樹脂物質使其更易燃。用鉗子夾住含有玻璃球的一端，球體破裂，硫酸立即點燃周圍的材料。["科學與藝術的奧祕"，倫敦，1830年]
