What the #@%? Paper *doesn’t* ignite at 451 degrees Fahrenheit?

Cracked – 6 Books Everyone (Including Your English Teacher) Got Wrong:

Just about every critic and literary scholar on the planet viewed the novel as metaphor for the dangers of state-sponsored censorship. Can’t see this as much of a stretch, considering it was about book burning (although, the title may have suggested that it was really about book warming, since, according to Bradbury’s sources, the temperature at which paper combusts is actually 450 degrees Celsius, or 842 degrees Fahrenheit).

Sure enough. From WikiAnswers:

Q: What is the flash-point of a peice of paper?
A: The flash point of paper is 350 degrees C or 662 degrees F.

The ignition temperature of paper is 450 degrees C or 842 degrees F.

Source: The Handbook of Physical and Mechanical Testing of Paper and Paperboard – Volume 2 – Edited by Richard Mark

Bruce Moore-NJ