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12/26/2007

Personalized Zippo Lighters - So Hot They’re Cool! Top 5 Reasons to Get One Engraved Today

A Zippo lighter is one of those last remaining “Made in USA” products. Zippo never outsourced and cheapened their product by manufacturing it overseas. In 1932 George G. Blaisdell developed and produced the first Zippo lighter in a garage in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Zippo lighters have been manufactured in Bradford ever since.

Here are the top five reasons to get one engraved for a loved one today :

A Zippo lighter is a reasonably priced item with most ranging from $18 to $35. High quality, nostalgia and value all wrapped up in a small package. And, we know good things come in small packages.

Zippo lighters come in a number of styles and motifs. Sports teams (such as NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL), military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), Wildlife, Playboy, Chrome lighters, Brass lighters, colored lighters, Hollywood stars, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, and so many more. There are hundreds of themes to choose from. You can go for a basic chrome or hand pick a lighter with a design that your loved one is into as a hobby, profession or passion. There is a Zippo lighter for everyone on your shopping list.

Even non-smokers love Zippo lighters. It’s not odd to get a non-smoker a Zippo. Zippo lighters come in handy for lighting candles, camping, lighting BBQ’s, offering a light to a smoker pal, and the like. A non-smoker will think a Zippo is cool. It is one of those handy things that you might not buy for yourself, but you find yourself using it time and time again once you have one.

An engraved Zippo lighter is a perfect gift to mark a special event. Perfect occasions to give personalized Zippo lighter are milestones: a new job, a first job, a wedding as groomsmen gifts or bridesmaid gifts, graduation, anniversary, safety award, corporate gift, birthdays, or any special occasion.

Gunther Gifts offers over 600 different Zippo lighters for sale. Special engraving techniques done by their master engraver are available nowhere else in the country. Engraving in special round, square, Christian, Jewish, heart, doctor, and lawyer motifs have been carefully and intricately created to dazzler those used to engraving in straight lines. You can even have a message engraved in a spiral! That takes some skill and is an exclusive creation by Gunther Gifts.

No matter what the occasion, Zippo lighters make great personalized gifts that won’t break the bank. Engraved Zippo lighters will be used for years. The recipient will remember who gave them that handy lighter and you will be thought about many times. A Zippo is truly a gift that is remembered and appreciated.

Related Article : The Perfect Gift - Engraved Zippo Lighters | The Story Behind Zippo Lighters | Collecting Zippo Lighters is a Growing Hobby | Zippo Background Introduction : An American Icon | Buy Zippo Lighters and Accessories at Discount Pri... | Personalized Zippo Lighters- So Hot They’re Cool! Top 5 Reasons to Get One Engraved Today |

Source : Ezinearticles.com

12/17/2007

The Perfect Gift - Engraved Zippo Lighters

By: Bradlley Mckoy

Looking for the most fitting gift for your partner? If your partner enjoys the comfort and the relaxing feeling that a cigarette brings after a hard day’s work, then he or she should not miss the best partner of a cigarette: engraved Zippo lighters.

For 75 years, Zippo has been synonymous with lighters in America. This is because it has brought much innovation to the lighter industry. The common features include the hinged lid that effectively turns off the flame, the improved chimney that allows the flame to stay even on windy situations, the better design of the fuel tank adding to its efficiency, and the tough metal casing allowing ease of use, which also allows various engravings to be created on the surface.

The design of Zippo lighters hasn’t changed much throughout the years. Some notable redesign though include the 1938 No. 10 Tall Table Lighter (4.5 inches tall, four times the capacity of usual lighters), and the 1950 Lady Bradford Table Lighter (targeted for women).

If your partner is a collector, giving engraved Zippo lighters are good investment. There are an estimated 4 million collectors of engraved Zippo lighters today, and the number is still growing due to the masterful creations on the lighter’s metallic casing. Engravings usually commemorate an important historical event or celebrating a generation. And even if collecting is not your partner’s thing, engraved Zippo lighters add intangible value compared to a normal present.

Here are some engraved Zippo lighters you should add to your gift bag:

2005 Zippo 200 – These lighters were created when the company sponsored the Zippo 200 NASCAR Busch Series Race. The engraving shows the Zippo 200 logo partnered with blazing red. This is perfect for the NASCAR fans.

2004 60th Anniversary D-Day - This lighter commemorates the 60 years of the D-day Invasion at Normandy, France. There is a laser engraving of a shield (written with a 60th Anniversary) together with a bottomed stamp styled from the 1940s. The design echoes the lighters supplied to the military during the Second World War. The history encapsulated in this lighter is fitting for those who have relatives who have fought during the time.

199 Our Century – This is the last engraved Zippo lighter collectible for the 20th century. Behind the fireworks area list of the years that span the century beginning with the founding of the Zippo Company on 1932 and ending in 1999. This is perfect for everyone who has shared most of his life in the last century.

1971 Peace – Not enough words to describe this one. The emblem has been the symbol of a generation of freedom and struggle to break from conventions. Just get them and feel the love.

Of course, if these officially engraved Zippo lighters don’t fill your fancy, there’s always personalized engravers found in the Net or in your local boutiques. Just bring your slim Zippo lighter and your wildest imagination. No design is bogus enough, especially if it will delight most cherished one.

Source : Ezinearticles.com

The Story Behind Zippo Lighters

By: James Hunt

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.

Related Articles : History of Zippo Lighters | Zippo trademarks the shape of famous cigarette lig... | Zippo Lighters As A Gift Idea | Zippo Lighters As A Gift Idea |

Source : Ezinearticles.com

12/10/2007

Zippo trademarks the shape of famous cigarette lighters

BRADFORD, Pa. (AP) -- Zippo Manufacturing Co. has trademarked the rectangular shape of its famous cigarette lighters and is demanding that retailers take imitations off their shelves by June 30.

Zippo was founded in 1932. The trademark granted late last year prevents other manufacturers from using a rectangular case like the one the company founder developed, the company said Friday in a statement. The statement did not explain why the company waited to announce the trademark.

More than 375 million Zippo lighters, which became standard issue to American GIs in 1943, have been produced in Bradford over the past 70 years.

Blaisdell created the Zippo lighter after obtaining the rights to an Austrian windproof lighter with a removable top. Blaisdell redesigned it by using a rectangular case, and attached the lid to the bottom with a welded hinge allowing for easier one-hand use.

Zippo lids make a distinctive "click" so recognizable that is featured on the company's Web site whenever one clicks on an icon.

Zippo is contacting wholesalers and retailers through trade advertisements and by mail in an effort to stop the sale of other lighters that use the Zippo shape.

"Infringing lighters have misled consumers and cost Zippo, authorized distributors and retailers millions of dollars in lost profits over the years," said owner George Duke, Blaisdell's grandson.

Zippo didn't identify any companies that is accuses of manufacturing or selling the knockoff lighters.

Zippo Lights A Flame Under Copycat Makers

BRADFORD, Pa.--The maker of the Zippo lighter has registered the classic beveled-edge shape with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, promising to run imitators out of the market.
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"If you see that shape, you say, 'Zippo,"' said Jeff Duke, counsel for the company founded by George D. Blaisdell in 1932.

Zippo's lighters are sheathed with gold or scrimshaw, and decorated with commemorations of everything from football teams to moon landings.

Zippo says knockoffs take as much as 30 percent of its business. Some of them are branded with names like "Zipp" or "Zipo," and owners discover they are fake when they send them to Zippo to be repaired. Zippo sends them back unfixed. AP

Copyright The Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

Related Articles : Zippo Battles Counterfeit Lighters | Zippo Lighters As A Gift Idea | History of Zippo Lighters | Zippo Lights A Flame Under Copycat Makers |

Source : Findarticles.com

Zippo Battles Counterfeit Lighters

by: Todd Spangler Associated Press writer

BRADFORD, Pa. -- The Zippo lighter is easily recognizable: a rectangular metal shell with beveled edges and a gently curved flip- top.

That simple design is just as easy to copy, and Zippo Manufacturing Co., which has been making the popular lighters for more than 70 years, wants that to stop.

The lighter's shape now registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the company has been moving against makers of imitations and pressing retailers to get the knockoffs off the shelves. The company is telling manufacturers and vendors of copycat products to stop by June 30 or face legal action.

"If you see that shape, you say, 'Zippo,' " said Jeff Duke, in- house legal counsel for the company founded by George D. Blaisdell in 1932. "It's much more than just registering a square metal box."

At two solid ounces, the Zippo's smooth, cool heft feels good in the hand. It comes with a guarantee to fix it for free at the headquarters in Bradford, about 130 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, for as long as the lighter survives.

Zippo has produced about 375 million lighters since 1932 and now churns out about 12 million a year. The company boasts some four million collectors, and it encourages them with lighters sheathed with gold or scrimshaw and decorated with drawings and symbols, commemorating football teams, moon landings, race car drivers and cartoon characters that chronicle much of the 20th century. Many people remember the old Zippos their fathers and grandfathers carried.

One dealer in Bergen County, N.J., Ira Pilossof, says he sold an original 1933 lighter for some $20,000 a few years ago.

Zippo's classic shape actually came into being in 1942; earlier versions were more boxy. Efforts to register it began in the late 1980s, when officials noted a slew of imitators hitting the market. Former marketing and sales vice president James Baldo decided the company -- which was also seeing more interest in the lighters as collectibles -- needed to better protect its brand.

During the 1990s, the company sought trademark protection in several nations, and has won in countries from Cuba to Finland and Israel to Vietnam. The process of getting U.S. protection began in 1994, and ended successfully just last year.

According to Duke, many of the knockoffs are made in China. Although some are branded with names like "Zipp" or "Zipo," some owners only discover they are fake when they send them to Zippo to be repaired. Zippo sends them back unfixed.

Duke said one competitor -- Ronson International Ltd. -- objected to the shape registration but later withdrew its objection, agreeing to change the design of one of its lighters reminiscent of the classic Zippo. Ronson officials in New Jersey did not return calls for comment.

To register something as simple as a small metal box, an applicant must prove the design is either inherently distinctive or that the public is so attuned to the shape that it is quickly recognized, according to Jessie Marshall, an attorney with the Patent and Trademark Office. A classic example is the Coca-Cola bottle.

Another part of the equation, said Ann Dunn Wessberg, a trademark lawyer for Faegre & Benson in Minneapolis, is that the shape not be important to the item's function or production -- so that copyrighting it won't stifle competition.

Zippo says knockoffs consume as much as 30 percent of their business. It has asked its salesmen and regional representatives to look out for imitations and spread the word that they are trademark violations. If polite requests fail, suits and even seizures could follow. The company says it has had some knockoffs confiscated in Europe.

Initially, the company tried to trademark another feature of the Zippo, and then dropped the effort. So for now, other lighter manufacturers don't have to worry if their products have that same, sharp Zippo click when they open.

Copyright C 2003 Deseret News Publishing Co.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

Related Articles : Zippo Lighters As A Gift Idea | Personalized Zippos: Gift, Investment, And History... | History of Zippo Lighters | Zippo Battles Counterfeit Lighters |

Source : Findarticles.com

12/09/2007

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Zippo Lighters As A Gift Idea

by: Iouri Kroukov

It's true that fewer and fewer people are smoking cigarettes these days but a Zippo lighter is still a great gift idea. We all know that quitting, or better yet, never starting is better for a person's health than smoking. But those that still choose to smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes would love a Zippo lighter as a gift! In fact, many people who do not smoke and never have smoked love to collect these fine quality cigarette lighters.

Since 1932, Zippo lighters have been renowned and highly revered as the finest lighters available. They are the only lighters that have a lifetime warranty. No matter how long after purchase, should you experience problems with a Zippo lighter, you can simply return it for service or replacement. By choosing these fine lighters as gifts for those special people that love them, you will be giving a gift built to last a lifetime. This lifetime warranty is one of the keys to Zippo's success. These are not lighters that are used; they break and then are thrown away. They truly can be with the recipient for life.

Some Zippo products are even wind-proof. When Zippo makes a wind-proof product, they are serious about it working even in the highest winds. Because of this fact, sailors, sportsmen of all kinds, people who work outdoors, convertible car drivers, motorcyclist and anyone who uses a lighter outdoors seeks out these products. This style makes them a great gift idea.

Zippo collectors, however, just love anything Zippo. They collect the wide range of pocket lighters from Zippo as well as the table models. Whether wind-proof or not, new or old, a Zippo collector is always happy to add another lighter to the collection.

Zippo products can be custom engraved if desired. Depending on the case, you can choose initials, names or even longer text. The smallest Zippos lend themselves best to initials only while the larger models are great for adding more text. Making it a great personalized gift idea.

Zippos have been made in so many designs. Zippo even creates lighters commemorating space launches and gives one of these to each astronaut returning from space. Advertisers have long used Zippo products to "brand" their merchandise. There is a sports series for sports fans also.

Older Zippos can be found in antique shops, flea markets, online sources and at yard sales. An old Zippo makes a great gift. But if you don't have time or inclination to search for an older lighter, purchase one of the newest models as a gift idea that will still be much appreciated by the Zippo collector.

Collecting Zippo Lighters is a Growing Hobby

by: Dustin Cannon

Lighters are useful for an array of things - lighting candles and cigarettes, getting rid of stray strings on clothing, and they are fun to fidget with. Who knew that they could also be collector's items? Zippo collecting has become a recent trend in the collecting world, and while they are not especially valuable monetarily at this point, they may become so in the near future.

Zippo lighters are easy items to collect because they have a history, new models are easy to find, older ones have date codes imprinted on them, and they come in a variety of styles and colors. They are also small, handheld mechanical objects that are fun to use, trade, and give away. Over the years, Zippo lighters have come out with different images on them, which represent a period in time and often evoke a sense of nostalgia for collectors. Some of the first series of lighters, such as the Sports, Town and Country, and NFL helmet set series are difficult to complete because Zippo lighters were just becoming popular at that time and are a rare find.

Surprisingly, not all collectors of Zippo lighters are smokers. Many collectors enjoy collecting Zippos because they are relatively inexpensive, mechanically interesting, and can be difficult to find, which means that there is a challenge in hunting for them. There are even clubs online where collectors can showcase their collections, as well as buy and sell lighters. Zippo aficionados will often keep their eyes peeled for hard to find lighters when on trips to other areas of the world. Since clubs exist in England, Italy, Switzerland and Japan, along with the United States, there are collectors on nearly every part of the globe who are willing to make a trade.

Perhaps the most difficult to find Zippo lighter in existence today is the original 1933 model, which sold for only $2.00 when it originally went on the market. Other coveted lighters include the military style lighters which came with ship designs, and were released in 1937. For some collectors, the condition of the lighter is very important; for others, simply having an item that has lasted through two world wars and several owners makes it valuable in itself.

Buy Zippo Lighters and Accessories at Discount Prices

by: Chris Robertson

The Zippo lighter : It's a true American classic that has existed for generations. For the refined person looking to express themselves in the smallest details, the Zippo lighter can be the final touch. If you're looking for a fantastic gift for someone special, or if you just want to treat yourself to the ultimate in high-quality, uniquely personal lighters, the Zippo lighter is your answer. And now it's easier than ever to find the perfect Zippo lighter for you or a friend. GHDM Lighters offers an amazing selection of Zippos at seriously discounted prices.

GHDM Lighters, available to customers at their website, GHDMLighters.com, carries well over 600 varieties of the classic Zippo lighter. Specialized versions of the Zippo are available, including the Harley Zippo; the Ford Zippo or Chevy Zippo; the Playboy Zippo; the Marilyn Zippo; you name it, it is probably on a Zippo at GHDM Lighters. All Zippos in stock at this company are sold at a price that is 25 to 40% off the usual retail. The website conveniently lists the average retail price for each Zippo lighter and then shows you the price at GHDM. This may be the easiest way yet to shop for the hard to buy for person, or the one who has everything. Now you can buy them a Zippo that commemorates their favorite hobby or interest, and know that they'll enjoy it for years to come.

GHDM Lighters is a fully authorized dealer of Zippo lighters and products, and offers the best in selection, price, and warranty. They provide full customer service via email or telephone, and all products purchased come with the lifetime Zippo guarantee. GHDM also offers a return policy if you're not completely satisfied.

GHDMLighters.com makes it easy for customers to shop and find just what they need. The website is meticulously divided into specialized categories, including Automobile Zippos, Hollywood Zippos, Military Zippos and more. There is also a special section devoted to closeout, discontinued Zippos at even lower prices. If you can't find exactly what you want through the categories, GHDM Lighters provides a simple search function where you can type in, for example, "Ford" and see all the Ford Zippos available. The lighters available range from simple and classic to high-end, top-quality lighters studded with gems and crystals. Every possible variation on each type of lighter is available. For example, the Chevy Zippo can be ordered in a variety of designs, from the trademark Chevy symbol Zippo to the sleek iridescent Corvette design. The website also offers special gift sets which include a Zippo lighter with a matching watch, as well as the Zippo Choice collection. Zippo Choice is a handpicked selection of Zippo lighters that is selected from hundreds of designs and made to the highest standards. These special high quality lighters are available to members who wish to join the Zippo Click Members Club at ZippoClick.com

Purchasing a Zippo lighter from GHDM Lighters is easy and can be done via credit card or a mail order form, which can be printed from the website. Shipping prices are extremely low and are determined by the dollar amount of your order. US customers who would like to order more than 50 Zippo lighters for a business or special event can call the company and receive 10% off their total order as well as free shipping.

When you place an order through GHDMLighters.com, you can be assured of the privacy of your information. The company does not share any information gathered with outside companies, and their website is secured with SSL encryption so that your credit card information will be safe.
by: Chris Robertson

GHDM Lighters also offers a wide selection of Zippo accessories, including fuel canisters, butane inserts, leather carrying pouches, and any other extra add-ons you may need for your Zippo. All accessories are products of Zippo, are fully licensed, and carry the Zippo lifetime guarantee.

So when it comes time to buy a gift for your favorite Harley fan, consider giving them a Harley Zippo. Check out the Harley collection on the website- you can choose from a wide range of lighters, including slim, sapphire studded, classic, and more. If you're a Marilyn Monroe lover, why not give yourself the gift of one of many Marilyn Zippos? The lighter you're carrying says a lot about you. Why not express yourself with a great Zippo, ordered at an amazing discount price? With over 600 models in stock, GHDM Lighters is sure to have the perfect Zippo lighter at a price 25 to 40% lower than you can find anywhere else. This website is guaranteed to have a Zippo to express your personality- and to show you have a great eye for a truly classic lighter.

12/07/2007

Personalized Zippos: Gift, Investment, And History Lesson In One Package

by: Bradlley Mckoy

The Zippo is a true survivor. It survived the Great Depression, the fall of generals and wars, heated elections and infamous presidents, and the public's fickle taste for all things new and trendy. It remains the most trusted ally of American soldiers caught in the cold and heat of many a battlefield.

You cannot keep a good lighter down, and the Zippo is proof of this. This is why personalized Zippos make ideal gifts. They blend historical value with classic design and solid performance.

Personalized Zippos :

Versatile Gifts If you don't know what to give to friends or bosses, give personalized Zippos. Personalized Zippos have become collectors' items. There are about a thousand designs showing just about anything. Personalized Zippos may showcase :

● interesting logos ● inscriptions by prominent presidents, politicians, union leaders, and celebrities who gave away personalized Zippos to mark an occasion ● sports and outdoor themes ● specific branches of the military ● logos and slogans from government agencies, such as the NASA ● dogs, horses, and other animals ● year of manufacture ● brand names of now defunct aviation, petroleum, tobacco, or automotive companies

There are also personalized Zippos for every occasions including: ● historical events, such as the first human landing on the moon ● first launching of a major product by a major company ● memorable military victories, such as the Japanese surrender on USS Missouri ● important political victories ● space launches, flight records, or amazing feats of endurance ● politically incorrect Sippos manufactured many, many years ago when political humor was more conservative ● sport championships

Personalized Zippos: Investment or Indulgence? Personalized Zippos make meaningful gifts not only because they are a part of the American past, but also because they are good investments. Personalized Zippos, in particular, are not just lighters. They are highly valued collectors' items, and over time, the value of a vintage personalized Zippo kept in excellent condition would only increase. Rare and very old personalized Zippos can fetch thousands of dollars on the market. Zippos with contemporary themes, on the other hand, may command very high prices. Examples of just such lighters include Hard Rock Cafe Zippos, Camel Zippos, and Zippos used in movie productions.

Zippos: Faked? Personalized Zippos are such marketable commodities faked Zippos have actually emerged in the market. Because vintage Zippos can be sold for astronomical sums, personalized Zippos that have been engraved, modified, or improved upon by groups other than the Zippo Manufacturing Company are making an appearance. These fake Zippos are commonly sold in Asian and European markets. They are engraved and made to appear older to dupe collectors into paying large sums for them.

Looking for Vintage Zippos? Old personalized Zippos are not difficult to find. Try your parents' attic or desk drawers. You could also try asking your grandparents and relatives. Other places to look for personalized Zippos include :

● estate sales and local auctions ● antique shops ● collectors' websites ● collectors' clubs ● online shops, such as eBay ● antique shows ● flea markets ● garage sales

Truly, personalized Zippos would make excellent gifts for just about anyone who means a lot to you. When you give a vintage Zippo, you don't just give a lighter. You give a piece of American history.

Zippo Background Introduction : An American Icon

by: Michael Sisler

Zippo Lighters have come a long way since their introduction to society in the 1930's. In fact Zippo is now being recognized by society as an official icon of America. It's no wonder why almost anyone recognized the Zippo name, just last year Zippo produced it's four hundred millionth lighter in Bradford, PA! Zippo is not just collected by Tobacco smokers but has evolved into a hobby picked up by all age groups, all ethical backgrounds, and all walks of life. The Zippo Manufacturing Company can be found in the small town of Bradford located in Pennsylvania producing thousands of lighters a day shipped all over the world. The Zippo Lighter is an oil fueled flint ignition-ed lighter with guaranteed performance backed by it's lifetime warranty certificate provided with every Zippo case. With thousands of different designs, it's not surprising why Zippo has become an American Icon in modern day America.

Related Articles : Keeping America Lighted For Decades | History of Zippo Lighters | Lighter Zippo

Source : Goarticles.com

Keeping America Lighted For Decades

by: Bradlley Mckoy

Zippos are not just lighters. Over the years, they have become iconic symbols of a breed of men and a lifestyle. Rolling Stone Keith Richards keeps a Zippo close to his guitar. In countless Hollywood movies, heroes and villains alike use Zippos to light cigarettes, burn ropes and documents, ignite fuses, or find their way through pitch-black caves and moss-covered caves.

Undoubtedly, Zippos are the perfect executive gifts for officemates who lead hip, active lifestyles. They do not even have to be smokers to appreciate Zippos because these lighters are handy not just for lighting cigarettes, they serve utilitarian functions as well.

Surviving Pieces of History The good thing about Zippos is that they are not just lighters, they are a slice of the American way of life. During the Vietnam war, nearly 200,000 Zippos saw active use. They were carried everywhere by American servicemen. In fact, a story that has been made popular with each retelling narrates how a Zippo lighter a soldier had stashed inside his shirt pocket saved his life by stopping a bullet from piercing his chest.

Decline and Revival However, The Zippo's golden years as American soldiers' lighter of choice eventually ended. The generation that had brought Zippos with them to combat or reconnoitering missions was slowly being replaced by a generation that largely knew nothing of Zippos or fighting in the rice paddies of Vietnam. Additionally, persistent government warning on the dangers of smoking have weaned countless people off Zippos.

For any other product, it would have been the end. Not Zippos. It resurfaced into American culture not so much because people started smoking again, but because it is highly useful. Smokers are not Zippos' largest customers. How could they be when the average smoker only needs to buy one or two Zippos during his lifetime? Zippos, after all, carry a lifetime guarantee, and its main office restores lighters, no matter how old or badly damaged.

Lifetime Promise of Excellence That the Zippo main office offers lifetime guarantee is still another reason Zippos would make excellent gifts for co-workers. Not only are Zippos useful, they are highly durable, too. Moreover, if a Zippo falls apart no matter how old or for what reason, the company may either replace or repair the lighter for free. Such customer-friendly service is peerless, and it is also one of the factors that make Zippos very popular.

At present, the Zippo main office still receives its fill of old lighters sent in for restoration. These lighters are so vintage some of them have been fished out of the stomachs of fishes or have been punctured by bullets. These Zippos are highly priced by Zippo collectors who buy these vintage lighters and give them away as gifts. You could do the same, too. Who says the Zippos you give to officemates have to be brand new? If your officemates are history buffs or are amateur collectors, you could give them Zippos from the 1940s and the 1950s.

If you read any Zippo instructional material, you will discover that Zippos are refillable, metallic lighters. Unlike other lighters, they are so dependable they consistently light up even in windy weather.

It is little wonder, then, that Zippos were able to survive the test of time. They're useful, affordable, reliable, and sleek. At times, these are all that's needed in the making of a legend.

Read: History of Zippo Lighters

Source : Goarticles.com

History of Zippo Lighters

by: Ruthaford

The Zippo company originated in a small Pennsylvania town during the depression, at a time when the United States was indeed struggling. Zippo's success was created through innovation and a lot of hard work, through the creation of a durable yet still very functional product, a very effective marketing campaign that includes a lifetime warranty. What happened was one night in 1932 there was a dinner held at the country club in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Attending the dance was one George G. Blaisdell. George was currently trying to think of a new way to create a bit of income during this rough time in our Nations history.

Up until this night Mr. Blaisdell had not been able to figure a way of generating more money. During the dinner he took a break to go have a smoke out on the balcony. There he found a friend of his trying to light up a cigarette. His friend had pulled out his lighter to light his cigarette. In doing so Blaisdell noticed his friends lighter was very tattered and looking a bit worse for wear. Almost in a chuckle, Blaisdell asked his friend why such and horrible looking lighter when he was dressed up so nice. His friends response sparked a great idea. He friend replied, "it works". Those two words sparked on of the greatest ideas of the time. Blaisedell thought about that all night long. He figured that is exactly what people need in this time inexpensive and durable. After more consideration he realized it was just during rough times people would want this. This was something that would always be sought after. He thought to himself this lighter business is sounds promising!

Blaisdell quickly obtained the rights from an Austrian lighter manufacturer to sell their lighters. In an attempt to improve its appearance, Blaisdell chrome-plated the lid of the lighter and raised the price to one dollar. However, he still could not sell any of these lighters. He discovered that there were far too many defects in the lighter. But that did not deter Blaisdell. He was determined to develop a new lighter that would not fail to light
.
He Abandoned the defective Austrian lighter and began work on the soon to be "zippo lighter". Blaisdell rented an office space that he paid $10 a month in rent, hired three people, and began trying to develop his own lighter. He and his team used an electric hot plate for soldering. As money was tight during this time he could not afford new equipment. The total cost of his equipment was $260 at the time. The first thing Blaisdell did was to make the zippo lighter smaller to be able to fit in the palm of the hand, and he incorporated a hinge to hold the lid to the bottom, making it part of the lighter. This enabled the user to be able to open the lighter with just one hand. Blaisdell then utilized the hood design of the previous Austrian lighter and placed a wind hood around the wick. This new lighter he had created was named "Zippo".

Source : Goarticles.com

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