Zippo - A lighter that saves lives

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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.