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"Build
your product with integrity ...stand behind it 100% and success will follow."
- George G. Blaisdell |
Zippo was founded in Bradford, Pennsylvania in 1932 when
George G. Blaisdell decided to create a lighter that would
look good and be easy to use. Blaisdell obtained the rights
for an Austrian windproof lighter with a removable top, and
re-designed it to his own requirements. He made the case
rectangular and attached the lid to the bottom with a welded
hinge, and surrounded the wick with a windhood. Fascinated
by another recent invention, the zipper, Blaisdell called
his new lighter "Zippo", and backed it with a Lifetime
Guarantee.
Today Zippo has produced over 325 million windproof lighters
since its founding in 1932. Except for improvements in the
flint wheel and modifications in case finishes, Blaisdell's
original design remains virtually unchanged today. The Lifetime
Guarantee that accompanies every Zippo metal product still
guarantees that "It works or we fix it free".
Although the windproof lighter is the most popular Zippo
product, Zippo took its first step toward diversification
with the introduction of a six-foot flexible steel pocket
tape measure in 1962. The success of this product led Zippo
to expand the line to its current product family of tape
measures, pocket knives, money clips, writing instruments,
key holders, ZipLight™ pocket flashlights and the Fixxit™
pocket tool. Today, all of these items can be imprinted with
company logos or trademarks.
 Zippo has expanded its sales operations nationally and internationally
through a wide network of sales representatives. In more
than 120 countries throughout the world, Zippo is synonymous
with American made quality and craftsmanship.
Zippo Canada opened in August 1949 and was the only
place other than Bradford, PA, where Zippo lighters were
ever produced. Operations included the fit-up of the lighter
case and insert, surface customization, cleaning, repair
clinic, and packaging. A final production run signified the
end of an era with the closing of the Zippo Canada production plant
in July 2002. Although Zippo lighters are no longer produced
by Zippo Canada, we continue to distribute and promote Zippo
products to retailers across the country.
Zippo windproof lighters enjoy a widespread and enviable
reputation as valuable collectibles. The company produces
the Zippo Lighter Collectors' Guide containing illustrations
of the lighters and descriptions of the series, as well as
an explanation of the date code found on the bottom of every
Zippo lighter. Clubs for lighter collectors have been organized
in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Japan and the United States.
In 2003 Zippo formed the Zippo Click Collectors Club
for Zippo lighter enthusiasts worldwide.
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