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The Swedish torch emerged in the backdrop of the Thirty Years' War during the 1600s. Swedish soldiers found themselves in Northern Germany, facing the challenge of procuring dry firewood for cooking and warmth in the winter. Typically, fresh wood requires a couple of years to dry properly, but with an army on the move, this wasn't a viable option.

Scavenging for dry wood became a primary task; however, the area was largely populated with conifers and birch trees. Standing deadwood might seem ideal, but its roots often keep it moist — a problem when you desperately need burnable firewood. Fallen deadwood provided a solution, as it had usually lifted itself from the ground, allowing it to dry out over the years.