Everyone knows Zippo. The petrol-powered lighters are rather unsuitable for cigars. however, Zippo also produces a range of products for other applications.
The history of Zippo
The Zippo lighter s story begins in the early 1930s at the Bradford Country Club in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Mr Blaisdell watched as a friend awkwardly struggled to use a cumbersome Austrian-made lighter. Mr Blaisdell noted that the lighter worked well in the wind because of the unique chimney, but the look and design was utilitarian and inefficient. Operating the lighter required the use of two hands, and its thin metal surface was easily dented.
The birth of Zippo
At the end of 1932, Mr Blaisdell decided to reconstruct the Austrian lighter. He made a small rectangular case and attached a lid with a hinge. He retained the chimney design that protected the flame. The result was an attractive lighter that could be easily operated with one hand. The name "Zippo" was created by Mr Blaisdell. He liked the sound of the word "Zipper", so he made up variations of the word until he settled on "Zippo", which he felt had a "modern" sound to it.
