The Chemical Journey of the Olympic Torch

To date, there have been 34 designs for the official Olympic torch using materials ranging from the more common aluminium alloys or stainless steel, to silver-, copper-, and nickel-plated designs and torches made from varnished metals, wood, plastics and even glass. Early torches burnt olive oil or gunpowder.

• Vom Feuerstock zur Alu-Fackel,
  Peter Thomas,
  FAZ July 21, 2012.
  Link
• London 2012: Will the Olympic torch survive a British summer?
  Helen Bushby,
  BBC News April 19, 2012.
  Link
• The Olympic Torch Relay Facts & Figures,
  International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Also of interest:

• What Makes a Candle Flame?
  The different reaction zones of a candle flame and its heat and mass transfer pathways
• Chemistry of the Christmas Candle — Part 1
  Klaus Roth,
  ChemViews magazine, November 2011.
  When we light a candle, the chemistry we are pursuing is not only especially beautiful, but also especially complex
  DOI: 10.1002/chemv.201000133