The Zippo timeline begins in the early 1930s, at the Bradford Country Club in Bradford, Pennsylvania.  Mr. Blaisdell watched a friend struggle awkwardly to use a cumbersome, Austrian-made lighter.  Mr. Blaisdell noted that the lighter worked well, even in the wind, due to the unique chimney, but the appearance and design was utilitarian and inefficient.  The lighter required the use of two hands to operate and its thin metal surface was easily dented.

 

In late 1932 Mr. Blaisdell decided to reconstruct the Austrian lighter.  He fabricated a small rectangular case and attached a lid with a hinge.  He preserved the chimney design which protected the flame.  The result was an attractive lighter that was easily operated with one hand.  The name “Zippo” was created by Mr Blaisdell.  He liked the sound of the word “zipper” so he formed variations on the word until he settled on “Zippo,” which he felt had a “modern” sound.

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The new pocket lighter sold for $1.95 each and was backed by Mr. Blaisdell’s, now famous, unconditional lifetime guarantee ­–"It works or we fix it free.™” The application for the original Zippo patent was filed on May 17, 1934, and patent number 2032695 was granted on March 3, 1936.  That first Zippo pocket lighter, produced in 1933, is on display at the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford.

 

In the mid-30’s, Kendall Refining Company in Bradford, placed an order for 500 Zippo lighters. These lighters are believed to be the first company-advertised lighters produced by Zippo and are highly prized collectibles.

 

World War II had a profound impact on Zippo.  Upon America’s entry into the war in 1941, Zippo ceased production of lighters for consumer markets and dedicated all production to the U.S. military.  This initiative led to the production of the steel-case Zippo lighter with black crackle finish.  The fact that millions of American military personnel carried the lighter into battle was a significant catalyst in establishing Zippo as an American icon throughout the world.  Supplying the military market resulted in full production for the plant and enabled Zippo to become financially strong and made it a viable company.

 

At the end of the war in 1945, Zippo returned to selling lighters to a peacetime America and resumed producing lighters for the consumer market.  A promoter at heart, Mr. Blaisdell wanted to hit the road with a car that looked like a Zippo lighter and in 1947 the Zippo Car was born.

 

On August 1, 1950 Zippo was issued its second patent, number 2517191.  The design of the Zippo lighter remains basically the same to this day, with minor improvements.

 

Beginning in the mid-50’s, date codes were stamped on the bottom of every Zippo lighter.  The original purpose was for quality control, but the codes have become an invaluable tool for collectors.

 

In the 1960’s concert-goers began raising the Zippo flame as a salute to favorite performers, a gesture later dubbed the “Zippo Moment.”

 

Mr.  Blaisdell passed away on October 3, 1978.  He is remembered not only for inventing the Zippo lighter, but also for his generosity and kind spirit.  After his passing, his daughters, Harriett B. Wick and Sarah B. Dorn, inherited the business.

 

The Zippo/Case Museum opened in July 1997.  The 15,000-square-foot facility includes a store and museum.  It is also home to the world-famous Zippo Repair Clinic, where visitors can watch the repair process take place. 

 

In the fall of 2002, Zippo obtained trademark registration for the shape of the Zippo lighter.  This was a major milestone to help protect the brand from counterfeiters. 

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In 2012, during its 80th anniversary year, Zippo production surpassed the landmark 500 millionth lighter.

 

There are many Zippo collectors around the world. Their fervor and dedication to the brand is unparalleled. To enhance the collecting experience, Zippo collector clubs around the world hold meet-ups and other events throughout the year.

 

Companies around the world continue to use Zippo lighters as an advertising and promotional tool.  These “advertiser” lighters continue to be among collectors’ favorites. 

 

Perhaps one of the biggest influences on collecting is Zippo’s ties to popular culture, Hollywood, Broadway, and the music industry. The Zippo lighter has been featured in more than 2,000 movies, stage plays and television shows over the years. Zippo lighters have “starred” in such diverse productions as “I Love Lucy” “The X-Men” and “Hairspray – the Musical.”

 

Often the lighter is a key prop, used as a device to move the plot forward or to reflect the personality of a character or time period being depicted.  The famous Zippo “click” sound has been sampled on songs, and the lighters themselves have been featured on album covers, tattooed on rockers’ skin, and wielded in Rolling Stone photo shoots.

 

In a world where most products are simply disposable or available with limited warranties, the Zippo pocket lighter remains backed by its famous lifetime guarantee.  In more than 85 years, no one has ever spent a cent on the mechanical repair of a Zippo pocket lighter regardless of the lighter’s age or condition. The Zippo pocket lighter is ingrained in American culture and is a global icon of durability and reliability.

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Source: zippo.com