Zippo lighters have become an icon recognized around the world, and their journey through history began back in the 1930s. Here, we'll take you through the key moments that shaped the development of this legendary product.
The beginning of the Zippo story
1930 - Inspiration and design
The story of Zippo lighters begins at the Bradford Country Club in Pennsylvania, when George G. Blaisdell watched his friend struggle with a bulky Austrian lighter. Although this lighter worked well, especially in the wind, its design required the use of both hands.
Blaisdell decided to do something better. In late 1932 , he came up with a more compact, rectangular design with a hinged lid and a chimney to protect the flame. This allowed users to operate the lighter with one hand. The name "Zippo" came from Blaisdell's experimentation with the sound of the word "zipper," which he found to sound "more modern." Thus was born the Zippo lighter, and in 1936 the first patent for the product was granted.
1930. 1940.
1940 - Impact of World War II
The outbreak of World War II significantly affected the production of Zippo lighters. When America entered the war in 1941, Zippo stopped producing lighters for the civilian market and focused on supplying the US military. During the war, they produced lighters with steel casings and a black "crackle" finish.
After the end of the war, Zippo returned to the production of lighters for the civilian market.
Further development and innovation
1950 - Innovations and new models
- In 1956, Zippo received a second patent , and the basic design of the lighter remained the same with a few minor improvements. In 1956, the Slim model was launched - a smaller version of the Zippo lighter, which was popular with women. However, the Slim model surprised everyone by becoming popular with men as well.
1960 - Zippo "moment"
During the 1960s , concertgoers would raise Zippo lighters in the air to salute performers. This moment became known as the "Zippo Moment" . In addition to lighters, Zippo began producing other products such as key chains , golf clubs , pen sets , and the ZipLight flashlight .
Expansion and legacy
1970-1980 - Expansion and family business
After the death of George G. Blaisdell in 1978, the Blaisdell family took over the business. During the 1970s , Zippo began to expand its presence into overseas markets. By 1980 , six family members owned the company.
1990 - New products and museums
- In 1997, Zippo purchased a company that manufactured folding pocket knives and sporting knives. In 1997 , the Zippo/Case Museum opened, where visitors could see the history of the brand and witness lighter repairs at the "Zippo Repair Clinic".
Recent period and global expansion
2000 - Brand protection and new technologies
In 2000 , Zippo obtained a trademark registration for the shape of the lighter, which was a major protection against counterfeiters. It also introduced the Zippo MPL - a multi-purpose, refillable lighter.
2010 - Global expansion
During the 2010s, Zippo expanded its market, particularly in India and China , leading to record sales increases. The company expanded its offerings to include hand warmers , camping gear , and Zippo fire equipment .
Today
Today, George G. Blaisdell's grandson is the sole owner and chairman of the Zippo board. The company continues to manufacture the famous Zippo lighters , and has expanded its offerings to include lighter accessories , multi-purpose lighters , fragrances , lifestyle products , and eyewear . Zippo lighters continue to have a large collector's base worldwide.
Zippo lighters have remained a symbol of quality, innovation and longevity, and throughout history have evolved into products that meet the needs of new generations. Their story still lives on, and each new product has a touch of something that began more than 90 years ago.
Find the full range of Zippo products HERE.