Zippo

A Zippo is a gasoline-powered storm lighter, which is produced in nearly unchanged design since 1933, founded by the 1932 Zippo Manufacturing Co. in Bradford, Pennsylvania (USA). The Zippo was over 500 million copies. Thus, it is the best selling lighter in the world and gained a worldwide cult status.

  • 4.1 Zippo BLU
  • 4.2 Zippo MPL
  • 4.3 Contempo

History

Inventor of the Zippo is George Grant Blaisdell ( 1895-1978 ). Blaisdell took the Austrian lighter brand Hurricane, which he had seen at a friend, for example, bought the rights and developed the Zippo. It should have the same function, but be operated with one hand. The name " Zippo " was chosen by Blaisdell because he zipper (' zip ') liked the sound of the English word. The first Zippo lighters were sold in 1933 at a price of 1.95 U.S. dollars.

Blaisdell was convinced of the reliability in such a way that it gives the customer a lifetime warranty on its product. The advertising slogan "It works or we fix it free " has become synonymous with the reliability of the product. Necessary repairs are also done free today still in the workshop Zippo own. The warranty is in Germany " only " 30 years, as according to German legislation is not possible to give a lifetime warranty.

The shape of the Zippo has changed only slightly since the introduction of the first models. Today are manufactured in Bradford daily up to 70,000 Zippos, which corresponds to an annual production of about 15 million units. While in September 2003 the production of the 400 millionth Zippo could be reported, the 500 millionth Zippo was on February 5, 2012, in the year in which the company celebrated its 80th anniversary Zippo manufactured. On this occasion, a limited edition Zippo was released with a special bottom stamp.

Construction

Each Zippo consists of a shell and an inlay. The sleeves are available in hundreds of variations, while the inlays are always the same. They consist of a tank that is filled with cotton wool, which keeps the fuel by capillary action and saved. Through the cotton through the wick runs to the fireplace. The burning end of the wick which rises next to the friction wheel through a hole from the tank, is located in the so-called "chimney ". This is open at the top, the sides are made ​​of metal, which is provided with holes. Thus, the "chimney " serves two purposes:

The mischmetal is mounted in a thin tube of the friction wheel below. At the bottom of the lighter is the slot for mischmetal, pressure spring and Fixierschräubchen. The spring, which is screwed under the mischmetal, the mischmetal pushes upwardly where it is pushed by the upwardly open tube against the friction wheel. If one turns now the friction wheel, a spark is generated using the Cereisens, which ignited the gasoline vapors that have formed around the wick

Zippos are so-called "non- self-extinguishing cigarette lighters " or colloquial " lighters ". It needs compared to gas lighters high winds or strong Pustens to extinguish the flame. To extinguish the flame " regular", the lighter flap is collapsed, causing the flame of oxygen is removed and suffocates them. Typical of Zippos is the sound during fast opening: The spring lever that holds primarily closed the cap of the lighter, suggests it against the metal of the cap and produces the characteristic sound.

Dating

Each Zippo manufactured since 1955 can be assigned to one year of production, in July 1986, the month is also recognizable. Determining via a stamped on the outside of the casing into the soil code. This changed in the past several times. Blaisdell wanted to find out when a new change came in for repair by it. So it was only a guide for him and no dating help.

Year-month code

A " year-month code " can be found on the bottom of the lighter and read from left to right. The year-month code, which is used since July 1986 is:

  • A letter ( A- L), where A is the month of January, then L corresponding to December
  • The Zippo logo (Slim model ® including; Regular model ® including, from 2006, the ® is about )
  • Roman numerals from II to XVI, the 1986 II and XVI said in 2000. since 2001, is located in place of the Roman numerals, a two-digit number, where 01 represents the year 2001, more years in accordance with (02 = 2002, etc.).

Thus, one can find for example that the code "C VIII " indicates a production date " March 1992 ". Below this is only the writing: " BRADFORD.PA. MADE IN U.S.A. "

Other models

Zippo BLU

With the Zippo collection 2007 a ​​gas-powered lighter brand Zippo was presented for the second time after 1985. It differs slightly outward from the original Zippo lighter. It has a geschwungenere shape than its gasoline-powered brother. In addition, it has a viewing window that offers a view on the level. Otherwise, you will find the usual Zippo features such as the famous "click" as well as the friction wheel with the flint. What is new is that there is a button for the gas valve next to the friction wheel. Thus, the cover is only a protective cover, as the flame goes out as soon as you release the valve knob. In addition, the flame can not be adjusted when BLU. The name is derived from the BLU Blue Storm flame of the lighter.

Zippo MPL

In addition, the " MPL ", the " Multi Purpose Lighter " Zippo manufactured in-house. This is not itself likewise to a gas lighter, but at a lighter in the traditional sense. The MPL is useful in the form of a rod lighter rather than lighter, if the user wants to keep igniting object some distance. Zippo granted only for a period of five years for the MPL.

Contempo

Already 1985-1989 a gas lighter with the name " Contempo " was under license by Zippo made ​​in Japan, but it was markedly different in design from the original Zippo and had with this except the " base pattern " nothing in common.

Hand Warmer

Since 2007 is a gasoline-powered hand warmers on the market. It is operated by a burner and has some similarities with the petrol lighter

Bradford (Pennsylvania) Candle wick Ferrocerium
803953
de