Zippo Lighters Through the years
Despite the fact that lighters have changed substantially over the years when considering engineering, one particular manufacturer is almost unchanged since it was founded over 75 years ago. The Zippo Manufacturing Company was launched by George Blaisdell in Bradford, PA, in 1932. Possibly Blaisdell loved the sound of the term ‘zipper,’ and believed ‘Zippo’ seemed modern and hi-tech. Inspired by an Austrian lighter that claimed for being windproof, Blaisdell improved upon on the design and style, creating a product basically the same as the Zippo we all know today.
Zippos had become very well-known within the next several years, and their durable, windproof engineering made them suitable for members of the military. They were common issue during Second world war, and once supplies ran short, small lighters were constructed with two top halves, salvaging metal. This antique of Zippos is hard to seek out, as many were left behind or missing, and those that survive are exceedingly priceless. Lots of the lighters designed for troops were coated in a ‘black crackle’ finish that troopers could carve names and sketches into with blades or pins. ‘Trench art,’ as it has been known, raises the value of a Zippo lighter greatly.
Zippo became an aesthetic icon, as well as one of usefulness and quality. From the 1950’s Zippo was building custom-decorated lighters for several agencies, golf clubs, and teams to use as advertising or gifts. It had not been uncommon for enterprises to provide monogrammed lighters for their workers for celebrations of service or retirements. Launched in 1956, the Zippo Slim was another creation, adding a finer, sleeker lighter to the company’s lineup.
Nowadays, Zippos are offered with quite a few models, which range from sports teams’ emblems to tattoo-style art. What makes Zippo unique is its layout that has stayed nearly the same for over 75 years, and also its life-time warranties. If a Zippo fails, it may be brought to the factory for free repair. As a collector myself, I love having all my pieces working. Zippos are usually loved by collectors since each lighter since 1955 has been stamped which includes a date code, and for pre ’55 lighters, the year could be recognized by a number of attributes of the stamping. This information is readily available on the internet, making it easy for an enthusiast to begin.
Even if Zippo is recognized as an unique category throughout the lighter-collecting world, non-Zippo collectors have equally as much to work with. Dunhill lighters, for instance, had been released in the uk in 1923 to rapid results. Since, Dunhills have already been regarded as the cream of the lighter crop, with new units selling for as up to a thousand dollars. Old models are much more precious, starting with the single-wheel flint and naptha styles dating through the 1920’s, and the single and double-wheel butane lighters within the 1930’s. While The second world war delayed business drastically, Dunhill made a return during the 1950’s using their thumbroller-ignition lighters, a design that’s just about unchanged today.
For additional information on Zippo Lighters, check out Collecting Zippo or Cigarette Box
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