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Zippo

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A Zippo Lighter is a refillable, metal lighter manufactured by Zippo Manufacturing Company. They are highly collectible and hundreds of different styles and designs have been made in the seven decades since their introduction.

A Chrome Zippo Lighter

Zippos are typically rectangular in design with a hinged flip-top lid. Unlike plastic lighters (such as those made by the BIC Corporation) that are used and thrown away, Zippos are refilled with a Naphtha based liquid lighter fluid. By sliding the inner component out of the outer shell, its owner can pour lighter fluid into a cotton packing that holds a wick. The flint, which produces the spark to ignite the wick, is also replaceable.

Zippos gained popularity as “windproof” lighters—able to stay lit in harsh weather. They became popular in the United States military, especially during World War II when all Zippo lighters produced went to the Allied war effort and during the Vietnam War. Additionally, Zippos are known for the lifetime guarantee they carry: if a Zippo breaks, no matter how old, the company will replace or fix the lighter for free.

The way a Zippo lighter is constructed makes it very hard to extinguish by trying to blow out or wink out the flame. The proper way to extinguish the lighter is to close the top half, putting out the flame by strangling it of oxygen. Closing the top lid rapidly produces a loud and easily recognizable clicking sound that Zippo lighters are known for.

Zippos can currently cost between 30 to 60 USD, depending on the rarity value of the given item.

History

George G. Blaisdell founded Zippo Manufacturing Company (located in Bradford, Pennsylvania) in 1932 and produced the first Zippo in early 1933, being inspired by an Austrian cigarette lighter of similar design. It got its name because Blaisdell liked the sound of the word "zipper" (according to John Ratzenberger's television show "Made in America" and Zippo Manufacturing Company's website).

On March 3, 1936, patent no. 2032695 was granted for the Zippo lighter.

Since 1933, over 400,000,000 Zippos have been produced. After World War II the Zippo became increasingly used in advertising by companies large and small through the 1960's. Many of the early advertising Zippos are works of art painted by hand, and as technology has evolved, so has the design and finish of the Zippo. The basic mechanism of the Zippo has basically remained unchanged.

Zippo lighters have become staples in the movie business, often seen being used by characters of different movies (e.g. Reservoir Dogs).

Zippo has recently expanded its product line to include a variety of utility-style multi-purpose lighters, known as the Zippo MPL. These lighters are fueled with butane.

Zippo Dates

In 1986, Zippo began including a lot code on all lighters showing the month and year of production. On the left of the underside was stamped a letter A-L, denoting the month. On the right was a Roman Numeral which denoted the year, beginning with II in 1986. Thus a Zippo stamped H XI was made in August, 1995. However in 2000, Zippo altered this system, changing the Roman Numerals to more conventional Arabic Numerals. Thus a Zippo made in August 04 will be stamped H 04.

Zippo maintenance

Refilling the lighter

  • Open the lighter and remove the lighter assembly from the shell.
  • Open the bottle of lighter fluid (the lighter assembly can be used to open the "safety nozzle" used for most brands of fluid).
  • Some Zippos will have a small hole in the bottom of the lighter assembly that can be used to refill the lighter. Otherwise, lift up the bottom part and refill, taking care not to oversaturate the rayon (otherwise, lighter fluid will leak out).
  • Replace the lighter assembly in the shell. Wipe the shell and hands clean of any excess fluid before lighting.
  • Some individuals may become sensitive to naptha and other ingredients in fuels for Zippos and other wick lighters. With the Zippo in a front pocket, this is often characterized by itching and irritation of the delicate skin in the groin region. If this occurs, the lighter may be fueled by pure isopropanol or strong rubbing alcohol, though ignition will not be as reliable and the lighter will have to be refuelled more frequently. Alcohol is not endorsed by Zippo, but alleviates the irritation without giving up the lighter. Note also that decoration on the lighter might be affected by alcohol.
  • Do Not test the lighter before replacing the lighter assembly in the shell.
  • Do Not use butane.

Replacing the flint

  • Open the lighter and remove the lighter assembly from the shell.
  • Loosen the screw at the bottom of the lighter assembly. A screwdriver or coin may be necessary, but usually this can be done with the fingers.
  • Remove the screw and spring and shake the lighter, to make sure the remnant of the previous flint (if any) falls out.
  • Drop the replacement flint into the hole, replace the spring, and tighten the screw. Replace the lighter assembly into the shell.
  • The striker may need to be "wiggled" a little in order to get the new flint to strike.
  • A common trick is to put in two replacement flints, instead of just one. That way, if the first flint runs out, the replacement is already in position. This may overly compress the flint spring, causing poor striking when only one flint is in place.
  • A second trick is to put a spare flint under the rayon flap in the lighter assembly. So if the flint unexpectedly runs out a replacement flint is easily at hand.
  • The paint on some flints has a tendency to choke the teeth on the striking wheel. The striking wheel should therefore occasionally be cleaned with a toothbrush and rubbing alcohol.

Trimming/Replacing the wick

  • Use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the wick straight up until clean wick appears.
  • Trim the blackened section off so that the wick is even with the top of the Chimney (wind guard).
  • To replace the wick, first remove all of the cotton padding with tweezers.
  • Thread the new wick into the hole, and leave it level with the chimney.
  • Replace the cotton padding in small pieces. Be sure to weave the wick through the pieces of cotton.

Zippo boats

During the Vietnam War, modified LCM-8s were equipped with flamethrowers and nicknamed "Zippo boats".

Tricks

Many people have mastered the art of flipping open a Zippo lighter, and making it look "cool". The most popular method is to hold the lighter in the right hand with the index finger and middle finger on top, and the thumb on bottom (hinge facing towards the pinky). Pressure is applied to the Zippo from the top fingers, which slide to the back, throwing the Zippo open.

Another common trick, with the lid open, is to snap one's fingers, glancing the wheel with the middle finger and igniting the wick. Easily as common is the trick of running the wheel quickly over one's pant leg in order to ignite the wick. Many practice these tricks until one can 'pop' the lid and ignite the wick in one seamless motion. It is not nearly as difficult as it looks, and can be an impressive display of casual dexterity.

The website zippotricks.com detailed hundreds of tricks that can be done with a lighter, until the United States National Fire Protection Association pressured Zippo into shutting the site down due to claims that it encouraged young people to play with fire. The site has since re-opened without Zippo's overt support as lightertricks.com.

Counterfeit

The Star Lighter Company of China has been accused of making counterfeit Zippo brand lighters.

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