10 Facts About Zippo Lighters That Will Make You Go, “Oh!”

The Inspiration Behind the First Zippo

You might find it hard to believe, but the inspiration behind the first windproof lighter came from a weird-looking Australian lighter. George Blaisdell, the founder of the company, once saw a man using a cumbersome lighter from the Bradford Country Club porch.

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Source: George G. Blaisdell. americanantiquities.com

He proceeded to ask him why he was using such a weird lighter that had a protective top. The man replied, “Well, it works.”. Blaisdell then thought that the world was ready for the next breed of lighters, and he was the man who would give it to them. He named the lighter “Zippo” because he liked how the word “Zipper” sounded.

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