George G. Blaisdell invented the Zippo lighter in 1932, and got his theme after learning about a gaudy Austrian made portable-pocket lighter. Blaisdell was an oil field engineer who saw a audience for a good looking lighter that would work even in rough weather. He created the first Zippo lighter in Bradford, Pennsylvania. It got its identify since Blaisdell liked the sound of the word zipper

A Zippo Lighter is a refillable, metal lighter. They are highly collectible and hundreds of different custom Zippo lighter fashions have been made in the seven decades since their unveiling. From Engraved Zippo lighters, to an army zippo lighter to a Hand-Carved wood Zippo, to a Car and truck Zippo lighter.

Zippos are generally rectangular in design with a flip top lid with a hinge . Unlike throw away cheap plastic lighters that are used and thrown in the trash, Zippos are replenished with a Naphtha based liquid zippo lighter fluid. By sliding the inner element out of the exterior housing, its user can pour lighter fluid into a cloth wadding that contains a wick. The flint, which brings about the arc to inflame the wick, can also be replaced.

It is cost-efficient and extremely reliable. Replenishing a dependable zippo lighter is tremendously less costly than purchasing disposable lighters.

Zippos are considered windproof lighters and will remain ignited in almost any wind condition. They became popular in the United States armed forces, especially during World War II. A military zippo lighter was standard issue for all of soldiers in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. During that time, all Zippo lighters produced went to the Alied forces war effort. In fact, at that time, as brass was utilized for arms, the bowels of zippo lighters were principally stainless steel. After the war was over, Zippo reverted to the standard brass design.

Virtually 200,000 Zippo lighters were possessed by U.S. military people in the Conflict in Vietnam. There was one story, a Zippo lighter carried in a shirt pocket intercepted a bullet from getting into a soldiers body.

In addition, Zippos are known for the lifetime warrantee they have: if a Zippo breaks down, no matter how old, the company will replace or repair the lighter for free.

Zippo currently faces two hard challenges. Zippo has great name recognition, coming from its part as standard GI issue during World War II and the Conflict in Vietnam, but the generation that used Zippo lighters into battle is quivering. The second issue is that cigarette and cigar smoking is losing ground.

Nonetheless, Zippo has weathered the storm, as collectors have been the missing link to steady growth. After all, smokers might acquire only one or two of the lighters--each of which carries a lifetime warranty. Plenty of 1940s-vintage Zippos still appear for fixes at the Zippo shop, which has repaired old zippo lighters discovered inside the stomachs of fish and antique zippo lighters punctured by lead bullets. Collectors still often buy many at a time, give them away as gifts, and lure their family to be collectors. Many zippo collectors have thousands of lighters in their zippo lighter collection and keep on buying.

Collectors can collect all of their favourite sports teams including the National football league, Major league baseball, and the National basketball association as well as motorsports and fishing Zippos.

It's a fact that more than 90% of US Citizens recognize the Zippo brand, and 30% of Zippo's customers are collectors. While a basic brushed-chrome Zippo runs .95, Collectible Zippos typically range from to , and some as much as ,000.

Since 1933, over 400,000,000 Zippos have been manufactured. After World War II the Zippo became increasingly used in marketing by companies small and large alike through the 60's. Although new Zippo lighter designs are always appearing, the basic mechanism of the Zippo has in essence stayed the same.

Zippo lighters have risen to icon status, which gets the kind of publicity money can't acquire. Rolling Stone Keith Richards, who often smokes while performing, keeps a Zippo right by his guitar. Movie actors from Bruce Willis to Harrison Ford have used Zippos to light fuses, burn documents and even to ignite cigarettes.

Zippo is branching out in other ways too, with Zippo pens, belt buckles, and money clips, Zippo watches all with a lifetime warranty.