Zippo British Bulldog Lighter

Zippo British Bulldog Lighter

Since 1932, Zippo have relied on craftsmanship and quality to ensure that each Zippo lighter meets the highest standards. Their commitment to quality guarantees that your Zippo lighter is covered for life. Peace of mind and security, guaranteed. If you treasure your Zippo for any reason, and want it repaired or restored, Zippo has a repair service and ensures quality work and dedicated service so that your Zippo lighter is fully restored.

The History Of Zippo

The Zippo timeline begins in the early 1930s, at the Bradford Country Club in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Mr. Blaisdell watched a friend struggle awkwardly to use a cumbersome, Austrian-made lighter. Mr. Blaisdell noted that the lighter worked well, even in the wind, due to the unique chimney, but the appearance and design was utilitarian and inefficient. The lighter required the use of two hands to operate and its thin metal surface was easily dented.

In late 1932 Mr. Blaisdell decided to reconstruct the Austrian lighter. He fabricated a small rectangular case and attached a lid with a hinge. He preserved the chimney design which protected the flame. The result was an attractive lighter that was easily operated with one hand. The name “Zippo” was created by Mr. Blaisdell. He liked the sound of the word “zipper” so he formed variations on the word until he settled on “Zippo,” which he felt had a “modern” sound.

The new pocket lighter sold for $1.95 each and was backed by Mr. Blaisdell’s, now famous, unconditional lifetime guarantee, “It works or we fix it free.” The application for the original Zippo patent was filed on May 17, 1934, and patent number 2032695 was granted on March 3, 1936. That first Zippo pocket lighter, produced in 1933, is on display at the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford.

In the mid-30’s, Kendall Refining Company in Bradford, placed an order for 500 Zippo lighters. These lighters are believed to be the first company-advertised lighters produced by Zippo and are highly prized collectibles.

Today, George B. Duke, Mr. Blaisdell’s grandson, is the sole owner and Chairman of the Board of Zippo. Mark Paup is the company’s President and CEO.

Zippo’s diverse product line continues to grow, and now includes lighter accessories, butane multi-purpose lighters, men’s and women’s fragrances, lifestyle accessories, eyewear, and products for outdoor enthusiasts.

In a world where most products are simply disposable or available with limited warranties, the Zippo pocket lighter remains backed by its famous lifetime guarantee. In more than 85 years, no one has ever spent a cent on the mechanical repair of a Zippo pocket lighter regardless of the lighter’s age or condition. The Zippo pocket lighter is ingrained in American culture and is a global icon of durability and reliability.