The Windproof Zippo Lighter, Since 1932, has Been a Lifelong Companion and Tool for Smokers and Non-Smokers Alike

George G. Blaisdell invented the Zippo lighter in 1932, and got his theme after hearing about a bulky Austrian made portable-pocket lighter. Blaisdell was an oil rig engineer who saw a potential market for a good looking lighter that would light up even in the wind. He produced the first Zippo lighter in Bradford, Pennsylvania. It got its identify for Blaisdell liked the sound of the word zipper

A Zippo Lighter is a refillable, metallic lighter. They are highly collectible and many of different custom zippo lighter designs have been made in the 70 years since their debut. From Custom-designed collector Zippo lighters, to an army zippo lighter to a Truck Zippo, to a Solid gold Zippo lighter.

Zippos are often rectangular in form with a flip top lid with a hinge . Unlike throw away cheap plastic lighters that are used and cast away, Zippos are refilled with a Naphtha based liquid zippo lighter fluid. By removing the interior portion out of the outside housing, its owner can pour lighter fluid into a cotton gauze wadding that holds a wick. The flint, which brings about the trigger to light the wick, is replaceable.

It is low cost and highly reliable. Refilling a dependable zippo lighter is a lot less costly than buying throw away lighters.

Zippos are classified as windproof lighters, and are are capable of staying lit in about any wind or weather situation. They grew to become extremely popular in the United States armed forces, particularly during World War II stainless steel Zippo a military zippo lighter was standard equipment for 100% men in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. During that time, all Zippo lighters produced went to the Allied war effort. In fact, at that point, as brass was needed for weapons, the interiors of zippos were made of stainless steel. After the war was over, Zippo reverted to the traditional brass design.

Close to 200,000 Zippo lighters were held by U.S. military personnel in the Conflict in Vietnam. In one instance, a Zippo lighter held in a shirt pocket intercepted a bullet from getting into a soldiers chest.

In addition, Zippos are known for the lifetime warranty they carry: if a Zippo breaks down, no matter how old, the company will replace or fix the lighter for free.

Zippo now faces two intimidating challenges. Zippo has smashing name recognition, rising from its function as standard GI issue during The Second World War, and the War in Vietnam, but the generation that held Zippo lighters into battle is flickering. The second challenge is that cigarette smoking is decreasing.

Nevertheless, Zippo has weathered the storm, as collectors have been the route to strong growth. After all, cigarette or cigar smokers may acquire only one or two zippo lighters--each of which carries a lifetime warranty. Plenty of 1940s-vintage Zippos still turn up for fixes at the Zippo main office, which has reconditioned antique zippo lighters discovered in the stomachs of fish and antique zippo lighters punctured by lead bullets. Collectors, however, often buy many at a time, give them as gifts, and encourage their family to be collectors. Many zippo collectors have thousands of lighters in their zippo lighter collection and keep on buying.

Collectors can gather up all of their favourite 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 US 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 in price from $35 to $75, and some as high as $3,000.

Since 1933, over 400,000,000 Zippos have been constructed. After The Second World War the Zippo became increasingly used in advertising by companies large as well as small through the 60's. Although new Zippo lighter designs are always surfacing, he basic interior mechanism of the Zippo has essentially stayed unchanged.

Zippo lighters have achieved icon status, which generates the kind of positive public image money can't purchase. Rolling Stone Keith Richards, who smokes cigarettes during his act, keeps a Zippo as close as his guitar. Movie heroes from Bruce Willis to Harrison Ford have used Zippos to ignite fuses, burn documents and papers and even to ignite cigarettes.

Zippo is growing in other ways, too, with Zippo pens, belt buckles, and money clips, Zippo watches all with a lifetime warrantee.

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