Company history
The history of the Zippo Manufacturing Company is the story of its employees. From founder George G. Blaisdell to the many Zippo employees, customers, and collectors; they have all played an important role in the company's history. Their loyalty and dedication have made Zippo one of America's largest and best-known icons.
1930s
The Zippo story begins in the early 1930s at the Bradford Country Club in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Mr. Blaisdell watched as a friend clumsily fumbled with an impractical Austrian lighter. Mr. Blaisdell noticed that the lighter worked well in the wind because of its unique chimney, but its appearance and design were utilitarian and inefficient. Operating the lighter required two hands, and its thin metal surface was easily dented.
At the end of 1932, Mr. Blaisdell decided to modify the Austrian lighter. He created a small, rectangular case with a lid and hinge. He retained the chimney design to protect the flame. The result was an attractive lighter that could easily be operated with one hand. The name "Zippo" was created by Mr. Blaisdell. He liked the sound of the word "zipper", so he created variations of the word and came up with "zippo", which he felt had a "modern" sound.
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The new pocket lighter sold for $1.95 each and came with Mr. Blaisdell's now-famous unconditional and lifetime guarantee - "It works, or we'll fix it.™". The application for the original Zippo patent was filed on May 17, 1934, and was granted on March 3, 1936, under number 2032695. The first Zippo pocket lighter, produced in 1933, can be seen at the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford.
In the mid-1930s, the Kendall Refining Company in Bradford commissioned the production of 500 Zippo lighters. It is believed that these lighters are the first lighters produced by Zippo that were ordered, making them highly prized collectibles.
1940s
World War II had a profound impact on Zippo. After America entered the war in 1941, Zippo stopped producing lighters for the consumer market and devoted all production to the American military. This initiative led to the production of the Zippo lighter with a steel case and black crackle finish. The fact that millions of American servicemen carried the lighter into battle was a major catalyst in making Zippo a symbol of American icon worldwide. Supplying the military market led to full factory production, which gave Zippo a strong financial boost, making it a viable company.
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In 1945, at the end of the war, Zippo resumed selling lighters in free America and returned to producing lighters for consumers. Blaisdell, a promoter at heart, wanted to go out on the street with a car that looked like a Zippo lighter, which led to the Zippo car in 1947.
1950s
On August 1, 1950, Zippo was granted its second patent, number 2517191. The design of the Zippo lighter has remained essentially the same to this day, with a few minor improvements.
From the mid-1950s onward, a date code has been engraved on the bottom of every Zippo lighter. This was originally done for quality control, but the codes have become invaluable to collectors.
In 1956, Zippo brought the slim lighter to market, which was an important milestone. This slightly smaller version of the Zippo lighter was designed for women, but against all expectations, the lighter also appealed to men.
1960s
In the 1960s, concertgoers began using the Zippo flame as a sign of appreciation for their favorite artists, a gesture that later became known as the "Zippo moment".
In 1962, Zippo produced its first product that was not a lighter. The steel pocket ruler, or "rule" as it is also called, has a design that resembles the famous lighter. Since the 1960s, other products have been added to or removed from the Zippo range. Many were primarily aimed at promotional items, including keychains, greenskeepers for golf, pen sets, and the ZipLight flashlight.
1970s
Mr. Blaisdell died on October 3, 1978. He is remembered not only as the inventor of the Zippo lighter, but also his generosity and friendly spirit will not be forgotten. After his death, his daughters, Harriett B. Wick and Sarah B. Dorn, took over the company.
In the 1970s, Zippo began expanding overseas.
1980s
In the 1980s, the company was in the hands of six Blaisdell family members, including Mr. Blaisdell's daughter and her children.
1990s
In 1993, Zippo acquired the W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. The rich heritage of Case began when it was founded in 1889. The company moved to Bradford in 1905. Case manufactures high-quality handmade knives, including traditional folding pocket knives and sport knives with fixed blades to limited edition commemorative and collectible items.
The Zippo/Case Museum opened in July 1997. The 15,000-square-foot complex contains a store and a museum. It also houses the world-famous Zippo Repair Clinic, so visitors can watch repairs being done.
2000s
In the fall of 2002, Zippo obtained the trademark registration for the shape of Zippo lighters. This was an important milestone in protecting the brand against counterfeiters.
In the early 2000s, Zippo also brought Zippo MPL® to market, a multifunctional and refillable lighter.
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2010s
In February 2010, Zippo acquired the Ronson brand lighters and the Ronsonol brand motor fuel.
In 2010, the company brought a all-metal hand warmer, as well as Zippo outdoor products, to market. The hand warmers are as smooth as the Zippo premium lighters and provide a constant heat source, longer than any other product on the market.
Zippo's continued expansion into overseas markets, particularly India and China, as well as strong domestic sales, led to record sales in 2011 and 2012.
In 2011, Zippo's outdoor product range was expanded with a set of emergency lighters and a universal lighter with a flexible neck.
In 2012, the year of its 80th anniversary, the groundbreaking 500 millionth lighter was produced by Zippo.
Also in 2012, the Zippo/Case Museum was renovated to better reflect the Zippo brand. The modern design is characterized by a combination of rich and sturdy textures, such as leather and brick, and a mix of vintage artwork and lifestyle photography.
In 2013, Zippo brought a series of sturdy camping accessories under the Zippo brand to market.
Today
Today, George B. Duke, Mr. Blaisdell's grandson, is the sole owner and chairman of the board of Zippo. Mark Paup is the president and CEO of the company.
Zippo's diverse product line continues to grow and now also includes lighter accessories, multifunctional butane lighters, men's and women's fragrances, lifestyle accessories, glasses, and products for outdoor enthusiasts.
There are many Zippo collectors worldwide. Their passion and dedication to the brand is unmatched. To enhance the collector experience, Zippo collector clubs around the world organize meetups and other events all year round.
In addition, businesses worldwide use Zippo lighters as a tool for advertising and sales promotion. These "promotional lighters" are still a favorite among collectors.
Perhaps one of the biggest influences on collecting is Zippo's connection with pop culture, Hollywood, Broadway, and the music industry. The Zippo lighter has appeared in more than 2000 films, plays, and TV shows over the years. Zippo lighters had the "leading role" in various productions, such as "I Love Lucy", "The X Men" and "Hairspray - the musical". Often, the lighter is an important prop used to advance the plot or to convey the personality of a depicted character or a time period. The famous "click" sound of Zippo was used in songs, and the lighters themselves were seen on album covers, tattooed on the skin of rockers, and used in Rolling Stone photoshoots.
In a world where most products are simply disposable or available with a limited warranty, Zippo lighters with their famous lifetime guarantee remain unique. In more than 85 years, no one has ever spent a cent on the mechanical repair of a Zippo pocket lighter, regardless of the age or condition of the lighter. The Zippo pocket lighter is deeply rooted in American culture and is a worldwide icon of durability and reliability.