Hold on there a moment sport. I would advise against making generalizations of any sort, including such statements as "these Yanks". I am an individual yank who has said nothing derogatory about any frenchmen, individuals or groups, or their country. There are a majority of individual yanks here who've likewise done the same.

Individuals have individual opinions, and it is just as wrong to refer to the opinions of one, or even a few as representative of the majority, or even a significant demography. Likewise, I don't give credit to the French for inventing the bic, but to a handful of scientists/engineers that happened to be in or from France that came up with the great idea.

So let's get back to the point: bics are what they are, a cheap, disposable lighter made in mass quantity that serve a specific purpose, which is to consistently provide an ignition source under most conditions for a minimal cost. They are not the end all-be all for making fire, and they and their equivalent are a deisrable item to add to any survival pack as one of many options for starting a fire. Matches are inexpensive and practical as well, and also have their limitations. I have no idea where they were invented or by whom, but I am just as glad they are available as I am for bics. Do I use either of these for making fire? Yes I do. Are there more reliable/more expensive alternatives? Yes there are. Did someone else besides an American, a Canadian, or a Frenchman invent some of these alternatives? To be sure. Does it matter one iota who came up with these ideas? Not in the least. The fact that they exist and that I can acquire them is all that matters. If Martians came to earth and gave us this neat little rock that all you had to do was wave it over a piece of wood and mutter some incantation and suddenly the wood burst into flames, I would say Hallelujah, I need one of those, and find some way to get one for myself, assuming I have the means.

I believe your final statement is a fact.