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At Bradford Country Club in Bradford, Pennsylvania, George G. Blaisdell watched a friend awkwardly use a cumbersome Austrian-made lighter. It had a utilitarian appearance and dented easily due to its thin metal surface but worked well in the wind.
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George G. Blaisdell was the creator of the Zippo lighters.
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The Zippo was noted for its reliability, "Life Time Warranty" and marketing as "Wind-Proof".
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Blaisdell obtains the rights to the Austrian-made lighter and refashions it into a rectangular case with a hinged lid making it easy to operate. Blaisdell names the new lighter ‘Zippo’ after another recent invention (the zipper )because he liked the sound of the word.
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The first lighter is produced and sells for $1.95. Blaisdell’s original prototype is currently displayed at the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford. That same year, he created the famous lifetime guarantee, “It works or we fix it free."
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Application for the original Zippo patent was filed on May 17, 1934 and was granted on March 3, 1936. The design of the Zippo lighter remains basically the same to this day, with minor improvements.
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Upon America’s entry into World War II, Zippo ceased production of lighters for consumer markets and dedicated all manufacturing to the U.S. military. Zippo became an icon of America throughout the world as millions of American military personnel carried the lighter into battle.
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Blaisdell created a car that was made from two giant Zippo lighters. Today a re-creation of this 1947 productmobile travels to events across the country.
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Zippo Manufacturing Company, Canada, Ltd. was established in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 1949 to avoid import duties
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he launch of the Zippo Slim pocket lighter is a major milestone and was designed to appeal primarily to women.
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Date codes are stamped on the bottom of every Zippo lighter.
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When Mr. Blaisdell passed away in 1978, his daughters, Harriett B. Wick and Sarah B. Dorn, inherited the business.
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Zippo greatly expands its overseas sales and marketing efforts. Zippo lighters are now sold in over 120 countries with Japan being the largest market outside of the U.S.
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Zippo acquired Bradford-based W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company. Case is the manufacturer of premium collectible and sport knives, often designated “the world’s most collectible knives.” Case, established in 1889, has a rich heritage and many aficionados collect both Case knives and Zippo lighters.
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With an estimated four million Zippo collectors in the United States and millions more around the world, Zippo hosts the first-ever Zippo/Case International Swap Meet in Bradford, Pa.
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The Zippo/Case Visitors Center opens in July with 15,000 square feet devoted to the history and evolution of two American brands.
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George B. Duke, Mr. Blaisdell’s grandson, is named Chairman of Zippo.
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The classic Zippo pocket lighter is named one of the “Top 100 Products of All-Time” by Danish Design Center, Copenhagen, and also scores “Top Product Design of the 20th Century” mention by Men’s Journal.
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Company-sponsored Zippo collectors’ club, Zippo Click, debuts and attracts thousands of members in 60 countries.
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Zippo production surpasses the milestone of 400 million lighters since Mr. Blaisdell crafted the first lighter in early 1933.
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A longtime favorite in the music scene with raised lighters saluting favorite performers – dubbed the “Zippo Moment” – the Zippo Hot Tour is created to showcase the talents of undiscovered bands across the country.
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Zippo appears in more than 1,500 Hollywood movies, and in 2006 the product was featured in each film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.
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Zippo Manufacturing Company celebrates its diamond anniversary on July 19 in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
