George G. Blaisdell invented the Zippo
lighter in 1932, and got his idea after hearing a bulky Austrian made small
lighter. Blaisdell was an oil rig engineer who saw a potential market for a good looking lighter
that would stay lit even in windy and mild conditions alike. He fabricated the first Zippo
lighter in Bradford, Pennsylvania. It got its name for Blaisdell liked
the sound of the word zipper
A Zippo Lighter is a refillable, metallic lighter. They are highly collectible
and many of varying custom zippo lighter designs have been made in the
70 plus years since their first appearance. From Car and truck Zippo lighters, to an
army zippo lighter
to a Military Zippo, to a Classic Zippo lighter.
Zippos are generally rectangular
in configuration with a one handed easy open lid . Unlike one time use polymer lighters that
are used and tossed out, Zippos are filled again with a Naphtha based liquid zippo
lighter fluid. By taking the inner element out of the exterior husk, its owner
can pour lighter fluid into a cloth wadding that holds a wick. The flint, which
produces the flicker to inflame the wick, can be refilled.
It is cost-efficient and incredibly dependable. Replenishing a dependable zippo lighter is very much cheaper than
buying disposable ignitors.
Zippos are classified as windproof lighters, and are are capable of staying
lighted in virtually any weather situation. They were extremely popular in the United States
armed forces, especially during World War II zippo a military
zippo lighter was standard issue for all of men in the Army, Navy, Air
Force and Marines. During that period, all Zippo lighters produced went to the
Alied forces war effort. In fact, at that point, since brass was utilized for weapons,
the bowels of zippos were created in stainless steel. At the end of the war,
Zippo reverted to the regular brass
design.
Approximately 200,000 Zippo lighters were used by U.S.
military personnel in the Vietman conflict. There was one story, a Zippo lighter
held in a shirt pocket blocked a bullet from going into a soldiers heart.
In addition, Zippos are known for the lifetime guaranty they have: if a
Zippo busts, no matter how old, the company will replace or repair the lighter
for free.
Zippo now faces two intimidating
challenges. Zippo has outstanding brand recognition, rising from its function as standard
GI issue during World War II, and the Conflict in Vietnam, but the generation that used
Zippo lighters into combat is rapidly decreasing. The second challenge is that cigarette and cigar smoking
is decreasing.
Nevertheless, Zippo has weathered the storm, as collectors have been the key to
firm growth. After all, tobacco users might purchase only one or two of the lighters--each
of which carries a lifetime warrantee. Plenty of 1940s-vintage Zippos still
surface for repairs at the Zippo main office, which has restored antique zippo lighters
discovered inside the bellies of fish and antique zippo lighters pierced by lead bullets.
Collectors, nonetheless, often buy several at a time, give them as gifts, and appeal to their
friends and family to turn into collectors. Many zippo
collectors have thousands of lighters in their zippo
lighter collection and keep buying.
Collectors can gather up all of their favorite sports teams including the National
football league, Major
league baseball, and the National
basketball association as well as motorsports
and fishing
Zippos.
It's a fact that more than 90% of American citizens recognize the Zippo
brand, and 30% of Zippo's customers are collectors. While a basic brushed-chrome
Zippo runs $10.95, Collectible
Zippos typically ranges from $35 to $75, and some as high as $3,000.
Since 1933, over 400,000,000 Zippos have been fabricated. After World War II
the Zippo grew to become more and more utilized in advertizements by companies large and small alike
through the 1960's. Although new Zippo lighter styles are always appearing,
he basic interior mechanism of the Zippo has in essence remained unaltered.
Zippo lighters have attained icon status, which renders the kind of promotion
money can't acquire. Rolling
Stone Keith Richards, who smokes cigarettes while performing, keeps a Zippo within an arms reach of his
guitar. Movie actors from Bruce Willis to Harrison Ford have needed Zippos to
light fuses, burn documents and even to ignite cigarettes.
Zippo is diversifying in other ways, too, with Zippo pens, belt buckles, and
money clips, Zippo
watches all with a lifetime guarantee.