Zippo History
The story behind the establishment of the Zippo Manufacturing Company most involves the role of its people – Zippo’s many employees, customers, collectors, and ultimately its founder George G. Blaisdell. Zippo’s 75 year history was made possible by their loyalty and today, it has become one of the most successful companies in America. Its colorful history is what will be discussed in this article.
The idea of the Zippo lighter was sparked at a country club in Bradford, Pennsylvania in the early 1930s by none other than Mr. Blaisdell*. He carefully observed a friend using an Austrian lighter – but it was obvious that it was a troublesome tool. Although the lighter worked fairly well because of its chimney, the appearance was clearly impractical. A person would require the use of both hands to utilize the lighter and furthermore the surface metal was too thin to withstand any sort of damage.
*Employees would commonly refer to George Blaisdell as “Mr. Blaisdell”
In fall of 1932, Blaisdell redesigned the Austrian lighter to be more user-friendly. He created a rectangular shaped case and connected it to the cap of the lighter using a hinge. One aspect of the original lighter that he did not change was the chimney – it effectively protected the flame from wind or other external conditions. The refurbishing of the lighter resulted in a product that was easy to use, yet still pleasing to the eye. This 1933 model is on display at the Zippo/Case Museum situated in Bradford.
The name of the company “Zippo” was chosen by founder Blaisdell because he liked the ring of the word “zipper”. After much deliberation, he decided to stick to the name “Zippo” because of its supposedly edgy tone.
In the beginning, each Zippo lighter was sold at $1.95 and was endorsed by Blaisdell’s lifetime guarantee that still holds to this day: “It works or we fix it free”.
On May 17, 1934, Blaisdell applied for the Zippo patent and was approved and given patent number 2032695 two years later. Another patent was granted on August 1, 1950 with the number 2517191. The Zippo model has not changed much since then, minus a few small enhancements.
Kendall’s Refining Company of Bradford ordered 500 Zippo lighters in the mid-1930s, thus becoming the first company to utilize Zippo lighters for advertisement purposes. These company-advertised lighters are highly collectible items that are still popular amongst collectors today. Currently, companies continue to maintain the same practice of using Zippo lighters as a mode of advertisement.
The onset of World War II changed the Zippo Manufacturing Company forever. Due to wartime necessities, Zippo halted all lighter production for consumers, and instead allotted all its work to the U.S. military. This alternative priority brought about the transition from the traditional steel-cased lighter to the new black “crackle” finished lighter. A great portion of the U.S military employed the Zippo lighter during the war, which in turn caused Zippo to become a patriotic symbol all over the world. During World War II, Zippo was in full production supporting the U.S. Military. Consequently, this time period allowed Zippo to evolve into a financially stable and trustworthy company.
As soon as the war ended, Zippo revived its place in the consumer market and once again started to sell its lighters all over America. Blaisdell even constructed a car modeled after the Zippo lighter, which debuted in 1947.
In 1949, Zippo expanded its business and added another headquarters, Zippo Manufacturing Company Canada Ltd., in Niagara Falls, Ontario in order to avoid import duties. Aside from the main factory in Bradford, this is the sole location where Zippo lighters have been manufactured. If the Zippo lighter has been made at the Niagara Falls plant, there is a stamp on the bottom denoting it. In the 1990s, legislation passed free trade policies, thus negating the need for a Canadian manufacturing plant – it closed in 2002.
Date codes were issued on the bottom of every Zippo lighter since the mid-1950s. Originally, they were used to ensure high quality, but times have changed. Today, date codes have become a tool for collectors.
In 1956, the Zippo Company emerged with a new model called the Slim model. This novel lighter was manufactured to appeal to women, a major landmark in the company’s history. In 1962, the first non-lighter Zippo product was introduced into the market – the “rule”, a steel tape measure. Zippo has since then modified its product line through the years. Most of the non-lighter products were associated with promotional purposes: writing utensils, the ZipLight pocket flashlight, key chains, pocket knives, and golfing accessories.
George Blaisdell died on October 3, 1978, leaving many grief-stricken. He is known for not only his status as the founder of the Zippo lighter, but also for his kind and compassionate nature. His daughters Harriett B. Wick and Sarah B. Dorn inherited the Zippo Manufacturing Company after Blaisdell’s death. Through the 80s and 90s, Zippo was owned by six people – all from the Blaisdell family. Blaisdell’s grandson George B. Duke (Sarah Dorn’s son) currently owns the Zippo Company as Chairman of the Board, while Gregory W. Booth serves as the President and CEO.
Zippo successfully tackled the international marketing scene in the 70s and 80s by amplifying its global marketing efforts. Consequently, Zippo lighters are currently being sold in more than 120 countries, one of them being the largest non-U.S. market – Japan.
In the Early 90s, Zippo took possession of the W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company based in Bradford, Pennsylvania. This company is known for their superior sport knives, which are labeled as the “world’s most collectible knives”. The Case and Sons Company has been in business since 1889, boasting a long history. Today, both Zippo lighters and Case knives are viewed as valuable collectibles.
In the United States alone, there are about 4 million Zippo collectors and millions more in other countries. Collectors’ commitment to the Zippo franchise is truly exceptional. Catering to the needs of their collectors, Zippo started the Zippo/Case International Swap Meet in 1995. These meets currently take place each year, with the location alternating between Bradford, Pennsylvania and Japan.
Zippo made public the Zippo/Case Visitors Center in July of 1997. Its size is enormous at 15,000 square-feet and includes a museum, gift store, and also the distinguished Zippo Repair Clinic. The Repair Clinic has on display the many stages of lighter repair, and exhibits such as these have made the Visitors Center one of Pennsylvania’s most popular museums.
Zippo’s debut into Hollywood and Broadway has proved to be a significant influence on the collectible nature of the Zippo lighter. It has made an appearance in over 1,500 films, plays, and T.V. shows over many years. Some examples are “I Love Lucy”, “The X-Men” and “Hairspray – The Musical”, productions that come from a diverse set of genres.
The Zippo lighter is often used as a means to progress the storyline, to enhance the reality of the time period being depicted, or to add to a “look” of a character.
The Zippo lighter has made a statement in the music industry since the 1960s – mostly to pay tribute to specific artists (“The Zippo Moment”). The “click” sound of the Zippo lighter has been included in songs and the image of the lighter has been promoted on album covers, on celebrities’ skin as tattoos, and even on a Rolling Stones photo shoot. Having intimate ties to the rock music scene, Zippo began the Zippo Hot Tour in 2004 to feature new, unborn bands all over the U.S.
In the year 2002, Zippo launched the first company-sponsored Zippo Collectors’ Club, dubbed “Zippo Click”. The club acquired its name from the “click” sound that a Zippo lighter makes. Also, it is a play on words off of the term “clique”. Fans from more than 60 countries are currently registered as members of Zippo Click.
Then, Zippo debuted the Zippo MPL® (Multi-Purpose Lighter), a major new product line. As a refillable butane lighter, it proved to be a novel and utilitarian device. As s result, the success of the Zippo MPL led to the initiation of more items for the product line. In 2002, Zippo was granted a trademark registration, ensuring the security of the shape of the Zippo lighter. This trademark would protect Zippo from the hands of scheming counterfeiters.
Zippo took over D.D.M. Italia in March 2004, a European manufacturer of Italian leather products. Today, it has become Zippo Fashion Italia and continues to produce leather goods and fashion-forward handbags.
Since 1933, Zippo has produced about 425 million Zippo lighters as of the year 2006. The Zippo lighter is more than just a lighter – it has become a symbol of American culture. According to marketing lingo, Zippo has an unaided awareness rate of more than 98 percent. In other words, 98 of every 100 people surveyed are aware of the Zippo brand. That is, without any aid at all. Zippo is most definitely a highly recognized brand in the general public.
The Zippo lighter’s famous lifetime guarantee still holds today, unlike most other products with limited warranties. As Mr. Blaisdell used to say, “It works or we fix it free”. In the 75 years since the Zippo Company has existed, not one person has spent money to repair a Zippo lighter, no matter how old or worn it is.