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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2021
- Get your own Zippo Lighter - amzn.to/3XKeDt0
Its iconic rectangular metallic shape, made the Zippo lighter one of the most recognizable reusable lighters there is however, it was its windproof capability that propelled them into the pockets of almost 200.000 (two hundred thousand) U.S. military personnel during the Vietnam War.
#1 - The invention
Known as "a legendary and distinct symbol of America", the Zippo lighter was invented by George (G.) Blaisdell in early 1933. Inspired by an Austrian cigarette lighter produced by IMCO, Blaisdell came up with the Zippo as a way to improve upon this lighter’s ease of use. For Blaisdell, the IMCO lighters worked well however, its appearance and design were too utilitarian and inefficient forcing its users to use both hands to lighten them up.
#2 - Brand and product name
In the search for his company and product name, Blaisdell used the Zipper as a starting point. A product and name that he himself enjoyed a lot and, to which the intent of adding an ‘o’ to the end of it (to make it sound more modern and futuristic) would end up creating the Zippo brand.
#3 - The design
Encapsulating the IMCO lighter chimney into a small rectangular case with a lid and a hinge attached to it, Blaisdell would end up reconstructing the Austrian lighter. Keeping the main feature that made it so functional, this small yet very effective change, allowed Zippo lighter users to easily operate it with one hand.
In 1950, Zippo would be granted a second patent for its lighter design which has basically remained the same till this day.
In 2002, Zippo would end up being granted the trademark registration of its lighter design which would reveal itself as a major contributor to protect the brand against counterfeiters.
#4 - Components
Most Zippos’ have a rectangular case with a slightly convex hinged top typically made out of brass.
Inside its case is where all the magic happens... with an open bottom metal box insert that snugs tight into the lighter’s outer case/ a spring-toggle lever (to keep the lid closed), a wick, a windscreen chimney, a flint wheel and a flint are held.
All Zippo components are replaceable and a total of 108 manufacturing operations are needed to produce a single lighter.
#5 - The patent
It would take three years, after the first ever produced Zippo lighter, for a patent to be granted to it. With the original application made by Blaisdell in 1934 the Zippo lighter would only be granted the patent number 2032695 (two million and thirty two thousand six hundred and ninety five) in 1936.
#6 - The first order
The mid 1930s also saw the first order to be raised to the Zippo Manufacturing Company. The order of 500 company-advertised Zippo lighters was made by Kendall Refining Company and these are now considered highly prized collectibles.
#7 - WWII impact
With the second world war impacting the entire world, the Zippo Manufacturing Company was no exception.
Ceasing its lighters production for consumer markets, Zippo dedicated all its attention into supplying the demands of millions of American military personnel who wanted to carry their reliable, easy to use and windproof lighters into the battlefield.
In 1945, with the end of the war, Zippo returned to producing lighters for the consumer market however, this time around, its brand awareness and American flair was now recognized all around the world.
#8 - Fame
This recognition helped propelling the Zippo lighters into literally bigger stages.
Featuring in more than 2.000 movies, stage plays and television shows throughout the years, the Zippo lighter has more screen appearances than any big Hollywood name.
Its fame would also cascade into the music industry as well; with the lighters themselves being featured on album covers and wielded in Rolling Stone photo shoots.
#9 - A trademarked sound
The characteristic ‘click’ sound, originated by the opening of its lid, would end up being sampled in many hit songs, leading the company to trademark it in 2018.
#10 - It saved lives
And finally, it helped save the lives of at least two people:
A Vietnam War veteran, who has been gifted a Zippo by his wife before going to war, would end up being saved by the simple fact that he pocketed it in his uniform.
Later, in 2010, reports emerged of a man who had survived being shot by a burglar due to the fact that the bullet once again ended up hitting his pocketed Zippo lighter.
In 2010, this handy companion would be featured in TIME’s 100 greatest gadgets of all time right before its company’s 80th anniversary, where the manufacturing of the 500,000,000th lighter has been announced.
I used Zippo lighters for years. They were reliable, easy to use, and easy to maintain. They were rugged, handling the abuse I threw at them during my work day. I'm sure they'd have lasted longer, but I always set my lighters down and forgot them.
This was one of those things that "just worked."
Indeed, among many other good things, we can always count on their reliability!
All you have to do is either buy the pocket tank for fluid refills which comes with a flint holder and a tool to open the screw for the flint which you should never over tighten, orrr you can simply keep a flint in the hole in the felt pad and simply use the lid when the insert is out of the lighter to use as a tool to open the screw. I carry a pocket tank with the flint and also I have a flint in the hole of the felt pad in all of my zippos. It’s a bulletproof everyday carry. I LOVE MY ZIPPOS
The best thing about Zippos is that I don't need to buy stupid plastic lighters all the time. The worst is that I need to fuel it every morning. But if you have a Zippo and learn to use it properly, you can use it a whole day for smoking.
Super-easy to assemble or disassemble and you DON'T need tools to open it. A simple coin can help.
Zippos are very reliable and they are easy to use and have great quality!
Hi Matthew, I couldn't agree more.
You don’t need a screw driver to unscrew the flint, use the case lip to unscrew it, you don’t need ANY tools, can carry as many flints as you want, they can got for 10+ years without cleaning, the lighter and a bottle of fluid is all you need.
I have a big zippo collection and my oldest one is from 1963 and guess what…it still runs like brand new, even has the original asbestos wick that looks brand new, for $10 these last a life time, how many disposable lighters will you buy in your life?
Good little documentary buddeh
Thank you very much Zippo Fanatic 77 Outdoors, really appreciate it!
Most people’s greatest criticism of Zippos is “they leak” They only leak if you overfill them, which most boot greens straight outta basic do. Don’t overfill it & it won’t leak, if you overfill it it’s GUARANTEED to leak. And if you extra worried about it, all you have to do is buy literally a one dollar sealing pad that also comes with a extra flint which is the second greatest criticism of the Zippo is it’s flint
Weird. I put just enough fuel in one and didn't use it for a week but when I picked it up it barely lit. Because there was almost no fuel left in it
Cool!! I want a zippo now.
Nice video bro 😎
Thank you durgesh prabhu!
☝🏻Zippos we’re also heavily used in WW2, in fact most servicemen would refill them with gasoline. Very interesting
I like Zippo Lighter Matches!
Hi Len, I didn't even know they existed. It was only after your comment that I did a quick search and was able to find out what they are. Thank you for that.
Len my man !!
I used their repair program. Bought that lighter over 35 years ago, when I joined the RCN. Was very happy to continue to use it. I don't smoke tobacco anymore, but they work great to light cannabis cigarettes. :)
Awesome
🎉🎉 zippo MADE IN USA ®️🇺🇸🔥👍💯
That is not the lighter that inspired Zippos, sorry bud
The lighter did NOT improve upon IMCO's design. In fact, Blaisdell's redesign made the Zippo's fluid evaporate faster - that's a step back, not an improvement. The IMCO lighters you show in the video (the IMCO Two-in-one and the IMCO IFA) were not the lighters Blaisdell copied - that was the IMCO 2000. Also, all of the earliest IMCO lighters could be used one-handed. Finally, Blaisdell made his design MORE complicated by making it necessary to use a screwdriver to change the flint. Zippo lighters were, and still are, overhyped garbage lighters.
Hi Prometheus, thank you very much for your feedback.
I would agree they're overhyped and overpriced but they still are kool.... yeah they arnt practical because of the fuel evaporation. But let's remember they were pacifically designed for smokers not for prepping/survival use. Each their own...... that old IMCOS reminds me I still needa get the Douglas field S great light no draw backs
@@spwan10 If they evaporate fast, thenn they're not useful for smokers either. A smoker might not mind that his lighter is evaporating fast, but it's still costing money that doesn't need to be spent.
@Prometheus alot of people dont realise zippos dont come ready to use. For the best fuel efficiency, you need to pull the cotton out and rewick it properly before filling for the first time.
@@johnredcorn2476 I've been collecting lighters (including Zippos) for around 20 years, and I know how to properly set up a Zippo lighter for fuel longevity. I'm currently in the middle of a test that includes a properly rewicked all-brass Zippo (supposedly the best quality Zippos have the tightest tolerances, so they don't evaporate as fast): the Zippo gave up after 27 days - the shortest of the 6 lighters I'm testing. The last remaining lighter in this test is a 1920 IMCO IFA, which is still going strong at 55 days. In a previous test, a regular non-brass Zippo lighter lasted 24 days, while an IMCO Triplex Junior lighter lasted 54 days. The problem isn't that I don't know how to properly set up a Zippo lighter. The problem is that Zippo lighters are garbage.
Windproof is about the only thing Zippo does well. It's expensive, it leaks like a sieve, doesn't keep its fuel for more than a week or so, needs tools to change flints, doesn't light reliably because the wheel gets dirty easily, and it gets hot fast because it's made of brass rather than steel. If it was used as body armor, it might work, but as a lighter it really is a piece of garbage.
Hi Prometheus, thank you for providing your point of view on that.
You couldn’t be more incorrect…keep buying Chinese crap.
It doesn't matter if you don't mind and have fuel. All you need is a screwdriver. I think they're far superior for a soldier in particular because unlike the disposable ones, you can keep them in service for as long as you are out in the field. I think zippos are certainly more of a forever survival lighter which produces these "cons" as a side effect of its longevity (leaks or not). You could maintain and pass on a Zippo to multiple generations.
Pros and cons are a factor of life. It lasts forever, but needs care...
@@christmasarchiveinc Yes, if you don't care that it leaks like a sieve, you're golden. Personally, I think a lighter that you can't even rely on to keep its fuel for a week is a liability. But you go ahead and use that piece of garbage if you want.