The Story Behind Zippo Lighters
It's the king of lighters. No one can deny the allure of Zippo lighters. The distinctive design is instantly recognizable, even as the lighters sport individual and even customized finishes and cases. But where did Zippo lighters begin?
In 1932, George G. Blaisdell founded the Zippo company by manufacturing the famous lighters. He bought the rights to an Austrian lighter, which happened to be windproof. Blaisdell didn't just want to make windproof lighters; he wanted his lighters to look good as well. And today, Zippo lighters are renowned for their looks.
In order to manufacture good looking lighters, the Austrian design needed to be modified. Blaisdell gave the Zippo its shape, as well as the flip-top cover. Lovers and collectors of Zippo lighters have perfected the art of opening the Zippo with a snazzy flick of the wrist. Some of them even can even light a Zippo while opening it, reducing the process to a single, graceful motion.
A name was needed for the lighters. Blaisdell called his lighter a ‘Zippo.' If it sounds suspiciously similar to the word ‘zipper,' there's a reason. The zipper was a relatively new invention at the time, and undeniably cool.
Today there are collectors' clubs all over the world. People meet to share their love of Zippo lighters and show off their collections. Rare lighters, as well as Zippo lighters customized for celebrities, are routinely auctioned off on the Internet. They are popular even with people who don't smoke. Zippo lighters are so cool that they are a fashion statement.
From humble beginnings in Bradford, PA, Zippo lighters have grown into the world's premier and preferred lighter. Millions of people own at least one, and thousands of people collect them. Just owning a Zippo lighter feels good. Windproof and classy. You can't beat that.
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 FIVE UNUSUAL CIGARETTE LIGHTERS HAMMER WRENCH DISC EAGLE FLIPTOP  US $9.99
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 RARE ASTERIX AND OBELIX FLUID CIGARETTE LIGHTER FLIP TOP US $38.96
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 Camel Chrome Flip Top Case Lighter circa 1992 G6 US $5.99
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 NEW COCA COLA LIME CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
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 NEW SUPERMAN BLACK CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
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 NEW QUEEN ROCK BAND CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
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 NEW DESIGN IRON MAN 2 CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $.99
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 NEW FORD MUSTANG SHELBY CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $.99
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 Jonee Earthquake Band FLIP TOP LIGHTER Punk Surf Rockabilly Garage Boston PROMO US $6.75
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 Custom Kawasaki Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl5 US $.10
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 Custom Yamaha Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl9 US $.10
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 Custom Norton Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl3 US $.10
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 Custom Laverda Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl4 US $.10
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 Custom Indian Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl18 US $.10
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 Custom Benelli Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl8 US $.10
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 Custom Royal Enfield Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl7 US $.10
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 Custom Piaggio Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl2 US $.10
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 Custom Moto Guzzi Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl1 US $.10
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 Custom Malaguti Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl6 US $.10
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 COPPER LIGHTER ON BULLET FEDERAL 45 AUTO FLIP TOP US $5.99
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 Cute My Neighbor Totoro Collector Flip Top Lighter NIB US $16.85
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 Old Giant Large Cigar Cigarrette Table Lighter Chrome Flip Top US $14.99
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 Towelie Flip Top Lighter US $18.00
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 6 each FLIP TOP VINTAGE CIGARETTE LIGHTER FOR PARTS OR REPAIR ODD BRANDS US $4.55
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 Liberty Leading The People Delacroix Art Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
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 Annie Oakley Wild West Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
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 White Swan Chrome Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
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 Bronze Flip Top Cigarette Windproof Lighter LF02 US $5.99
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 Vintage 7 UP PARK LIGHTER FLIP TOP VERY NEAT US $24.95
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 Three Silver Flip Top Lighters Nude Female sexy risque US $27.99
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 Vintage Smoking 1960s Rogers Ship NIB Flip Top Lighter US $9.99
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 Pink Cross Sign Dragon Myth Flip Top Lighter Box New US $4.99
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FIVE UNUSUAL CIGARETTE LIGHTERS HAMMER WRENCH DISC EAGLE FLIPTOP US $9.99
|
RARE ASTERIX AND OBELIX FLUID CIGARETTE LIGHTER FLIP TOP US $38.96
|
Camel Chrome Flip Top Case Lighter circa 1992 G6 US $5.99
|
|
NEW COCA COLA LIME CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
NEW SUPERMAN BLACK CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
NEW QUEEN ROCK BAND CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
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|
NEW DESIGN IRON MAN 2 CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $.99
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NEW FORD MUSTANG SHELBY CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $.99
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Jonee Earthquake Band FLIP TOP LIGHTER Punk Surf Rockabilly Garage Boston PROMO US $6.75
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Custom Kawasaki Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl5 US $.10
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Custom Yamaha Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl9 US $.10
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Custom Norton Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl3 US $.10
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Custom Laverda Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl4 US $.10
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Custom Indian Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl18 US $.10
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Custom Benelli Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl8 US $.10
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Custom Royal Enfield Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl7 US $.10
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Custom Piaggio Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl2 US $.10
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Custom Moto Guzzi Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl1 US $.10
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Custom Malaguti Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl6 US $.10
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COPPER LIGHTER ON BULLET FEDERAL 45 AUTO FLIP TOP US $5.99
|
Cute My Neighbor Totoro Collector Flip Top Lighter NIB US $16.85
|
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Old Giant Large Cigar Cigarrette Table Lighter Chrome Flip Top US $14.99
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Towelie Flip Top Lighter US $18.00
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6 each FLIP TOP VINTAGE CIGARETTE LIGHTER FOR PARTS OR REPAIR ODD BRANDS US $4.55
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Liberty Leading The People Delacroix Art Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
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Annie Oakley Wild West Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
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White Swan Chrome Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
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Bronze Flip Top Cigarette Windproof Lighter LF02 US $5.99
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Vintage 7 UP PARK LIGHTER FLIP TOP VERY NEAT US $24.95
|
Three Silver Flip Top Lighters Nude Female sexy risque US $27.99
|
|
Vintage Smoking 1960s Rogers Ship NIB Flip Top Lighter US $9.99
|
Pink Cross Sign Dragon Myth Flip Top Lighter Box New US $4.99
|
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
|
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FIVE UNUSUAL CIGARETTE LIGHTERS HAMMER WRENCH DISC EAGLE FLIPTOP US $9.99
|
RARE ASTERIX AND OBELIX FLUID CIGARETTE LIGHTER FLIP TOP US $38.96
|
Camel Chrome Flip Top Case Lighter circa 1992 G6 US $5.99
|
|
NEW COCA COLA LIME CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
NEW SUPERMAN BLACK CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
NEW QUEEN ROCK BAND CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
|
NEW DESIGN IRON MAN 2 CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $.99
|
NEW FORD MUSTANG SHELBY CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $.99
|
Jonee Earthquake Band FLIP TOP LIGHTER Punk Surf Rockabilly Garage Boston PROMO US $6.75
|
|
Custom Kawasaki Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl5 US $.10
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Custom Yamaha Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl9 US $.10
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Custom Norton Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl3 US $.10
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Custom Laverda Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl4 US $.10
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Custom Indian Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl18 US $.10
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Custom Benelli Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl8 US $.10
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Custom Royal Enfield Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl7 US $.10
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Custom Piaggio Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl2 US $.10
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Custom Moto Guzzi Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl1 US $.10
|
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Custom Malaguti Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl6 US $.10
|
COPPER LIGHTER ON BULLET FEDERAL 45 AUTO FLIP TOP US $5.99
|
Cute My Neighbor Totoro Collector Flip Top Lighter NIB US $16.85
|
|
Old Giant Large Cigar Cigarrette Table Lighter Chrome Flip Top US $14.99
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Towelie Flip Top Lighter US $18.00
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6 each FLIP TOP VINTAGE CIGARETTE LIGHTER FOR PARTS OR REPAIR ODD BRANDS US $4.55
|
|
Liberty Leading The People Delacroix Art Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
|
Annie Oakley Wild West Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
|
White Swan Chrome Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
|
|
Bronze Flip Top Cigarette Windproof Lighter LF02 US $5.99
|
Vintage 7 UP PARK LIGHTER FLIP TOP VERY NEAT US $24.95
|
Three Silver Flip Top Lighters Nude Female sexy risque US $27.99
|
|
Vintage Smoking 1960s Rogers Ship NIB Flip Top Lighter US $9.99
|
Pink Cross Sign Dragon Myth Flip Top Lighter Box New US $4.99
|
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
|
|
FIVE UNUSUAL CIGARETTE LIGHTERS HAMMER WRENCH DISC EAGLE FLIPTOP US $9.99
|
RARE ASTERIX AND OBELIX FLUID CIGARETTE LIGHTER FLIP TOP US $38.96
|
Camel Chrome Flip Top Case Lighter circa 1992 G6 US $5.99
|
|
NEW COCA COLA LIME CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
NEW SUPERMAN BLACK CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
NEW QUEEN ROCK BAND CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
|
NEW DESIGN IRON MAN 2 CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $.99
|
NEW FORD MUSTANG SHELBY CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $.99
|
Jonee Earthquake Band FLIP TOP LIGHTER Punk Surf Rockabilly Garage Boston PROMO US $6.75
|
|
Custom Kawasaki Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl5 US $.10
|
Custom Yamaha Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl9 US $.10
|
Custom Norton Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl3 US $.10
|
|
Custom Laverda Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl4 US $.10
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Custom Indian Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl18 US $.10
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Custom Benelli Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl8 US $.10
|
|
Custom Royal Enfield Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl7 US $.10
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Custom Piaggio Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl2 US $.10
|
Custom Moto Guzzi Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl1 US $.10
|
|
Custom Malaguti Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl6 US $.10
|
COPPER LIGHTER ON BULLET FEDERAL 45 AUTO FLIP TOP US $5.99
|
Cute My Neighbor Totoro Collector Flip Top Lighter NIB US $16.85
|
|
Old Giant Large Cigar Cigarrette Table Lighter Chrome Flip Top US $14.99
|
Towelie Flip Top Lighter US $18.00
|
6 each FLIP TOP VINTAGE CIGARETTE LIGHTER FOR PARTS OR REPAIR ODD BRANDS US $4.55
|
|
Liberty Leading The People Delacroix Art Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
|
Annie Oakley Wild West Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
|
White Swan Chrome Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
|
|
Bronze Flip Top Cigarette Windproof Lighter LF02 US $5.99
|
Vintage 7 UP PARK LIGHTER FLIP TOP VERY NEAT US $24.95
|
Three Silver Flip Top Lighters Nude Female sexy risque US $27.99
|
|
Vintage Smoking 1960s Rogers Ship NIB Flip Top Lighter US $9.99
|
Pink Cross Sign Dragon Myth Flip Top Lighter Box New US $4.99
|
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
|
|
FIVE UNUSUAL CIGARETTE LIGHTERS HAMMER WRENCH DISC EAGLE FLIPTOP US $9.99
|
RARE ASTERIX AND OBELIX FLUID CIGARETTE LIGHTER FLIP TOP US $38.96
|
Camel Chrome Flip Top Case Lighter circa 1992 G6 US $5.99
|
|
NEW COCA COLA LIME CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
NEW SUPERMAN BLACK CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
NEW QUEEN ROCK BAND CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $6.99
|
|
NEW DESIGN IRON MAN 2 CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $.99
|
NEW FORD MUSTANG SHELBY CHROME FLIP TOP LIGHTER US $.99
|
Jonee Earthquake Band FLIP TOP LIGHTER Punk Surf Rockabilly Garage Boston PROMO US $6.75
|
|
Custom Kawasaki Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl5 US $.10
|
Custom Yamaha Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl9 US $.10
|
Custom Norton Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl3 US $.10
|
|
Custom Laverda Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl4 US $.10
|
Custom Indian Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl18 US $.10
|
Custom Benelli Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl8 US $.10
|
|
Custom Royal Enfield Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl7 US $.10
|
Custom Piaggio Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl2 US $.10
|
Custom Moto Guzzi Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl1 US $.10
|
|
Custom Malaguti Motorcycle Flip top Lighter motfl6 US $.10
|
COPPER LIGHTER ON BULLET FEDERAL 45 AUTO FLIP TOP US $5.99
|
Cute My Neighbor Totoro Collector Flip Top Lighter NIB US $16.85
|
|
Old Giant Large Cigar Cigarrette Table Lighter Chrome Flip Top US $14.99
|
Towelie Flip Top Lighter US $18.00
|
6 each FLIP TOP VINTAGE CIGARETTE LIGHTER FOR PARTS OR REPAIR ODD BRANDS US $4.55
|
|
Liberty Leading The People Delacroix Art Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
|
Annie Oakley Wild West Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
|
White Swan Chrome Cigarette Flip Top Lighter US $16.95
|
|
Bronze Flip Top Cigarette Windproof Lighter LF02 US $5.99
|
Vintage 7 UP PARK LIGHTER FLIP TOP VERY NEAT US $24.95
|
Three Silver Flip Top Lighters Nude Female sexy risque US $27.99
|
|
Vintage Smoking 1960s Rogers Ship NIB Flip Top Lighter US $9.99
|
Pink Cross Sign Dragon Myth Flip Top Lighter Box New US $4.99
|
| Powered by phpBay Pro |