ZIPPO 205 Reg.satin chrome

Zippo Manufacturing company was founded in 1932 and produced the first lighter in 1933, when founder George G. Blaisdell was inspired by a light cylindrical lighter of a similar design from Austria. George G. Blaisdell was also impressed by the pronunciation of the word 'zipper', so the lighters received the modern shortened name 'zippo'. In March 1936 a patent for Zippo lighters was granted. They became widespread in the American military, especially during World War II. The original lighters were made of brass, but due to material shortages during the war years they began to be made of steel. In the sixties Zippo lighters were advertised by larger and smaller companies. Many of the early advertised Zippo lighters were hand-painted works of art and with the development of technology, this also became the design and finish. The basic mechanism of the Zippo lighter has remained unchanged. Zippo lighters are still extremely popular and have a cult status, they are considered indestructible, windproof and once lit they burn and burn until they run out of fuel.