The first Zippo lighter was manufactured in 1933 by a company founded by George Blaisdell. Slightly based on an Austrian cigarette lighter of the time, the Zippo was created with its own unique design and qualities that have made it the popular item of today. Primarily gaining popularity with the United States military, particularly the troops of World War II, Zippo lighters have become a sought-after item ever since due to the unique features and characteristics that make the Zippo the authentic product it was then and still remains today.
Probably the most unique and recognizable feature that sets the Zippo apart from any other cigarette lighter is the case that each Zippo lighter has. The lighter itself is housed in a case that is available in almost countless designs and variations with styles ranging from military insignias, to a high-polish rainbow finish, to even an 18-karat gold model. A recognizable design that I first remember seeing a Zippo lighter display is the shamrock design Zippo, Indy’s ‘Good Luck Charm’, that Indiana Jones uses in the movie the Last Crusade in an attempt to free his father and himself by burning through some ropes they are tied with. Another very recognizable feature that all Zippo pocket lighters possess is the distinctive ‘Zippo click’ that can be heard when the lighter’s top is opened or closed. This clicking sound is created by the hinge mechanism that keeps the lighter opened when in use, and closed when not in use. The special wicks that Zippo lighters use is another feature that is rare among traditional and modern cigarette lighters.
The incredible reliability and durability of these lighters is a quality that not many other pocket lighters can boast of as well. Incorporated into its design, Zippo lighters have a unique chimney that enshrouds the wick enabling the lighter to function even in windy conditions that give the Zippo its special ‘windless’ trademark quality. Also, unlike butane lighters, Zippos are not effected by cold temperatures, making the lighter even more reliable and convenient for hikers, outdoor workers, or campers. The durable metal case, usually steel, gives the Zippo an extremely durable characteristic that also make it ideal for almost any condition. The Zippo is a lighter than can take abuse and daily use without fail due to these qualities. With these robust features in mind, each and every Zippo is sold with a lifetime guarantee that gives the purchaser the piece of mind that if the lighter happens to break, they can send it to the manufacturer and have it fixed at no cost to the customer. A motto of the Zippo company, ‘It works or we fix it for free’, has been established due to this assurance.
Also making the lighter more of a unique item is the maintenance that each lighter occasionally requires. Refilling the lighter, a trait that is present with all non-disposable lighters, is probably the most common and easiest component of the maintenance Zippos require. Other minor maintenance practices such as wick trimming, wick replacement, and flint replacement are less common, but necessary requirements for the Zippo. How much maintenance is required mainly depends on how often the particular lighter is used. For myself, the regular maintenance of a Zippo lighter are what makes it the unique and prized possession that it is.
For these reasons and more, the Zippo has become a long-lasting lighter that has withstood the test of time. With only very minor changes, the Zippo has mainly stayed with the original design since the first lighters were manufactured in 1933. These unique qualities make the Zippo a novelty item for all and a special item for collectors. An ideal product for almost anyone, I recommend Zippo lighters before any other pocket lighter.

For more information about Zippo lighters, please visit The World of Zippo Lighters.

Zippo lighting up in India with lifestyle products
By Vishnu Makhijani ,New Delhi, June 8 : Some time next week, the 500 millionth Zippo lighter will come off the production line at Bradford in the US but then, there’s a lot more than lighters to the 79-year-old company that is diversifying in the Indian market with a range of lifestyle products.
Read more on New Kerala

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