From Bradford to the World
In 1932, George G. Blaisdell watched a friend struggle with an Austrian lighter. It worked, but it was ugly and hard to use. Blaisdell thought he could do better.
He was right.
Working from a small building in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Blaisdell created Zippo’s first lighter. The design was simple: a hinged lid, a windproof chimney, and a body that fit perfectly in the palm.
The Windproof Miracle
The secret was the chimney. By surrounding the flame with a metal casing and perforated windscreen, Zippo created a lighter that worked in conditions that killed the competition.
A Lifetime Guarantee
“It works or we fix it free.” Since day one, Zippo has stood behind every lighter they make. Send in a broken Zippo and they’ll repair or replace it—no questions asked.