CrossJunction

Zippo windproof lighters represent one of the fastest growing categories in the world of collectibles. Zippo windproof lighters are bought, sold and traded by thousands of enthusiastic fans from nearly every continent. Since 1932 Zippo has manufactured over 425 million windproof lighters. Every Zippo lighter is identified by a manufacturer’s code stamped on the bottom of the lighter to identify its month and year of manufacture.

1932
Zippo Manufacturing Company was founded in 1932 by George G. Blaisdell. He developed the Zippo lighter in late 1932. The first lighter was produced in January or February 1933. The first Zippo is on display at the Zippo/Case Visitors Center with a note in Mr. Blaisdell’s handwriting.

1933
The first Zippo lighters were square-cornered and formed from rectangular brass tubing. Top and bottom pieces were soldered to the hollow tubing to form the lid and bottom of the case. The hinge was soldered on the outside, and the unit was chrome-plated. Although the lighter still had square corners and the hinge on the outside, it was shortened by one-quarter inch later in the year.

1934
Decorative diagonal lines were engraved across the top and bottom of the lighters.

1935
This year marked the beginning of the specialty advertising business for Zippo. Customer trademarks were designed from small metalliques that were glued to the case and color filled.

1936
The hinge was removed from the outside of the case and placed on the inside. Only the hinge barrel was visible. This was also the first year for personalizing the lighters with initials.

1937
This was the beginning of the brass drawn case with a rounded top and bottom. As a result of the rounded edges, the lid and bottom could be formed as a whole, eliminating the soldering process necessary on earlier models.

1939
The 14 karat solid gold lighter was introduced. It was available in both a plain model and an engine-turned model.

1943
Due to shortages of brass and chrome during World War II, cases were made of porous steel and painted with a thick black paint that was baked to a black crackle finish. Zippo’s entire production was distributed to Army exchanges and Naval ships’ stores. WWII black crackle lighters were stamped “PATENT #203695″. Other lighters produced 1937-1950 were stamped “PATENT 2032695″. Praised in countless wartime stories, the Zippo windproof lighter played an important part in World War II lore. Ernie Pyle, the legendary war correspondent, wrote: “The Zippo lighter is in great demand on the battlefield…(it) is the most coveted thing in the Army “.

1946
Following the war, cases were drawn from nickel silver only. An indented can style bottom was incorporated.

1949
Town and Country designs featuring a pheasant, mallard, geese, sailboat, trout, setter, horse and lily pond were added to the line. These designs were engraved four one-thousands of an inch and air brushed with sometimes up to 14 different colors of paint. They were then baked to a hard glossy finish.

1950
Full cover leather lighters were introduced. The colors available were red, blue, green, tan calfskin, and English Moroccan grain leather with a gold leaf border. A new series of sterling silver lighters also became available in plain finish or an engine-turned design.

1951
During the Korean War, Zippo cases were manufactured from steel until late 1953, when they returned to the chrome plated brass. The full cover leather lighter was replaced by a wrap-around application for the lid and bottom. These were available in brown alligator, red, brown and green reptile and black or blue Moroccan leather.

1955
Silver filled and gold filled lighters were designed and introduced.

1956
Late in 1956 the slim Zippo lighter was added to the line. It appeared as a drawn brass case with a high polish finish.

1957
Slim lighters in gold filled and silver filled styles were manufactured. Commercial trademarks on lighters became available. The chemical etching and color fill process was perfected. This process enabled Zippo to produce the most intricate and detailed designs in any number of colors. A manufacturer’s coding table was also developed in 1957. Various combinations of dots and slashes were stamped on the bottom of all lighters. These marks indicate what year the lighter was manufactured.

1960
The slim 14 karat gold lighter was introduced.

1969
In honor of the NASA moon landing, a Moon Landing lighter series was developed. The Space series continued periodic editions into the 1990’s with the latest being Zippo: A Remembrance, Vol III - Space Explorations.

1970
In keeping with the interests of the early 70’s, Zippo introduced a Zodiac lighter series. All twelve Zodiac signs were available on slim lighters only.

1972
Zippo developed a new and lasting concept in the application of lighter designs when the woodgrain model was introduced. Pressure sensitive vinyl appliqués, simulating a woodgrain design, were placed on the lighter case.

Lighters featuring National Football League helmets were introduced this year. (see 1997)

1974
During this year, the now classic Venetian design lighter became available.

1976
In celebration of our nation’s 200th birthday, a commemorative Bicentennial lighter was manufactured. Also in 1976, the Golden Elegance series was introduced. In keeping with the clothing fashion at the time, Zippo developed a denim-look lighter.

1977
The handsome Golden Tortoise was added to the Zippo line this year. An acrylic chip was attached to a lighter case, transforming it into the attractive Tortoise. A small area of the lighter was reserved for initials.

1978
An acrylic chip is again used to make the colorful Ultralite series. Colors: green, brown, royal blue, red, black and ivory.

1980
During this presidential election year, Zippo introduced two political motif lighters. One design featured a donkey’s head in representation of the Democratic party and the other design featured an elephant’s head for the Republican party.

1982
Zippo celebrated its 50th Anniversary with an original design brass lighter, which featured diagonal lines on a round corner case and a removable seal reading “Fifty years and glowing stronger”. The companion lighter was identical with the seal lustre etched.

The Scrimshaw design lighters were also introduced in 1982.

For those who smoke pipes, Zippo developed a pipe lighter. The insert of the pipe lighter was produced with one large hole in the chimney, rather than several smaller ones. The large hole made it easier to light a pipe by allowing the flame to be drawn through it and into the pipe.

Presidential Lighters: Among the special lighters developed by Zippo in 1982 was a patriotic series that commemorated the Presidents of the United States.

Emblems: Also making a handsome addition to any collection were lighters decorated with the emblems of many fraternal organizations and the military branches.

1984
The black powder coat was introduced. It is applied electrostatically to the brass lighter case. Soon after, four more matte colors were introduced: blue, burgundy, green and grey. A year later, the imprinted Zippo logo and a border were added.

1986
The camouflage lighter was introduced. The design was surface imprinted in two colors on the matte green powder coat. It was available in regular and slim models. Many powder coat lighters were surface imprinted with logos.

1988
The 1932 replica, a reproduction of the original Zippo lighter produced in 1932 was introduced. These lighters have the potential to become valued collectibles. In 1997 it was learned that even though Zippo was founded in 1932, the first lighter was actually produced in early 1933. These 1932 replicas were inaccurate by one year.

1990
In the Wild West, Indians, gunfighters and sheriffs became legends. This series of six lighters depicted the Pony Express, covered wagons and the railroad opening new territories in America.

The Presidential Series. Zippo honored six popular presidents: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan.

1991
Civil War Series. This collection featured beautiful color illustrations of soldiers of the U.S. Civil War. Union Army: Militiaman, Infantryman, Cavalry Trooper, Petty Officer, all on blue matte. Confederate Army: Cherokee Rifleman, Cavalry Trooper, Infantryman, Prison Guard, on grey matte.

1992
1992 marked not only the 60th Anniversary of Zippo Manufacturing Company, but also the beginning of the “Collectible of the Year”, presented in a collectible tin. Customer and collector response was so great that the tradition continued with a new collectible lighter each year for the next ten years. Available for only a limited time, the early sets have already become highly-prized editions for collectors.

Collectible of the Year

60th Anniversary Lighter: Zippo introduced this limited edition midnight chrome lighter with a pewter 60th Anniversary emblem. Each lighter was displayed on a plush velour platform in a decorated tin.

1993-1994
Cool and contemporary, the Geometric Collection featured an exotic group of six Zippo lighters consisting of orange grid, symmetric circles, assorted symbols, varied geometrics, modern abstract and cartoon abstract.

Richly opulent, the Toledo Collection featured the ancient art of damascene engraving. Damascene is the technique of encrusting gold, silver or copper wire on a surface of iron, steel or bronze. This technique reached its pinnacle in design and beauty through the craftsmanship of the artisans of Toledo, Spain. Zippo commissioned four damascene designs, each with plaques on the front and back of the lighter.

The Corvette Collection commemorated the 40th anniversary of the popular American sports car. Featured in the series were the 1953-57-63-69-78-86 and the 1991 models.

Zippo entered the exciting world of motorsports in 1993 with sponsorship of the U.S. Vintage Grand Prix of Watkins Glen. Also new in 1993 was the Zippo Motorsports Collection featuring popular NASCAR drivers and Winston Cup graphics. The following year, Zippo signed on with Team Kendall as an associate sponsor of Sabco Racing’s #40 NASCAR entry.

In tribute to Watkins Glen and the U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, Zippo created a Vintage Collection of thirteen special edition products imprinted with one of three racy Watkins Glen logos.

Zippo commemorated the breaking of an 83-year tradition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as NASCAR drivers took the track in the Inaugural Run of the Brickyard 400.

Collectibles of the Year

1993 - Collectible of the Year

The Varga Look: The windproof beauty, Windy, was introduced in 1937 in Zippo’s first national ad. The 1993 collectible lighter featured Windy cast in pewter and attached to the lighter as a two surface emblem. She was also pictured on the lid of the collectible tin.

1994 - Collectible of the Year

D-Day: Zippo saluted the 50th anniversary of D-Day with its 1994 D-Day Commemorative lighter. Its black crackle surface replicated the famous World War II finish, and the antique brass emblem was patterned after the sleeve patch worn by Allied troops. General Eisenhower’s inspirational June 6, 1944 message to the troops is reprinted inside the lid of the round collectible tin.

Also introduced in 1994 was the Allied Heroes Companion set, which saluted these legendary war heroes: Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. Charles de Gaulle, Gen. Bernard L. Montgomery, and Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley. (See entries under 1946 for more WWII information.)

1995
Collectible of the Year

Mysteries of the Forest™: The 1995 Limited Edition collectibles marked several firsts for Zippo. For the first time, the images on the lighters in a set combined to present a larger picture. It was the first Limited Edition to use Zippo’s exciting new TechnigraphicTM process. And for the first time, the single lighter, Jaguar and Cub at Turtle FallsTM shared a graphic connection with the four lighter Mysteries of the Forest set. The collectible set rested on a black velvet liner in a full color collectible tin.

1996
Collectible of the Year


Zippo Salutes Pinup Girls: More than sixty years ago, a beautiful young woman introduced the Zippo windproof lighter to the world in Zippo’s first national advertisement. Zippo Salutes Pinup Girls paid tribute to “Windy” and the “windproof beauties” that followed her. Zippo’s Pinup of the Year was Joan, the 1996 Collectible. The Four Seasons four lighter companion set introduced Holly, April, Sommer, and Ida Redd, a collectible beauty for each season of the year.

1997
Collectible of the Year


The 65th Anniversary lighter featured a nostalgic Art Deco pewter emblem. An exclusive case stamp was created specifically for this collectible. The commemorative tin presented a collage of Zippo advertising art and logos from the Zippo archives.

As companion pieces, Zippo also had a 65th Anniversary Personal Accessory Collection. These stylish personal accessories were available exclusively to purchasers of the 1997 Limited Edition Collectible. The classic Art Deco style of these pieces recalled the glamour of the 1930’s and coordinated beautifully with the Zippo 65th Anniversary Commemorative lighter. The collection included a tie bar, tie tack, key ring, cuff links, Lady Barbara reproduction table lighter, ties and scarves.

NFL: Are you ready for some football? Zippo’s got every team in the NFL on classic high polish chrome lighters. The officially licensed product has each team name on the lid, with the matching team logo and helmet over a swatch of the team colors on the body of the lighter. No matter who you root for, AFC or NFC, your team is packaged in a Zippo tin with a custom “Officially Licensed Product” sleeve.

Zippo: A Remembrance, Volume II: During World War II, the Zippo lighter became known as “the GI’s Friend” and was treasured for both its reliable performance and as a reminder of home. To commemorate the people and events of World War II, Zippo created Volume II of “Zippo: A Remembrance”. The four high polish brass lighters all had square shaped emblems depicting the Battle of Midway, the Flying Tigers, Desert Fox and the Third Army. A brushed brass key holder engraved with “Victory Day, 1945-1995, Japan Europe” rounded off the set which was displayed in a maroon leatherette volume. Each set was hand numbered.

Late 1997- Zippo: A Remembrance, Volume III: Space Explorations salutes the evolution of the American space missions, from project Mercury through the Space Shuttle. Third in the series of Zippo: A Remembrance collectibles, this commemorative set is limited to only 10,000 volumes. Each blue leatherette book contains 4 high polish chrome lighters with vividly colored TechnigraphicTM representations of the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs.

1998
Collectible of the Year


Before its mysterious disappearance, the Zippo Car won America’s heart, appearing in parades, expos and fairs in all 48 states during the late 1940s and early 50s. Nearly 50 years later, a replica of the product mobile embarked on an international voyage to more than 120 countries globally - as the 1998 Limited Edition Collectible of the Year.

1999
Collectible of the Year


The 1999 Millennium Edition Collectible of the Year honors the dawn of the new millennium, and serves as a symbol of Zippo’s proud past and promising future.

The lighter features Zippo’s inaugural use of TVD titanium coating, which is produced by the same technology used by NASA to protect the Space Shuttle, and authenticated by an exclusive bottom stamp.

The 1999 Millennium Edition is also Zippo’s first ever computer-engraved Collectible of the Year. The message engraved on the lighter, “One World…One Future,” expresses Zippo’s belief that the challenges of a new millennium are best faced united.

The set comes packaged with a certificate of authenticity in an exclusive collector’s tin.

2000
Collectible of the Year


For its 2000 Collectible of the Year Zippo honored one of the most magical and essential elements known to man…fire. The millennium edition Keeper of the Flame lighter symbolizes respect, power, and control over man’s most vital element. Prehistoric man discovered fire, but Zippo has perfected it.

“Keeper of the Flame” is ninth in the series of limited edition Collectibles of the Year. The lighter features a first of its kind, earth-toned, embossed, genuine leather medallion encased in an antique brass frame on a classic brushed chrome lighter. A special bottom stamp and certificate of authenticity validates the lighter as a genuine millennium edition Zippo lighter. The leather stamp that appears on the lighter is graphically reproduced on the round keepsake tin. Because every Zippo lighter is guaranteed for life, you will forever be the Keeper of the Flame.

2001
Collectible of the Year


Zippo looked to the silver screen for its 2001 Collectible of the Year. Hollywood is a familiar place for the Zippo lighter, boasting more than 1000 supporting roles throughout its career. The Zippo lighter has shared the screen with such stars as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, John Wayne, Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, and John Travolta. There is no other star with a list of credits like that.

“Hollywood’s Leading Light” is tenth in the Collectible of the Year series. The lighter introduced Zippo’s gold dust finish. Embellished with a cloisonné emblem that replicates the pink terrazzo stars that line the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Hollywood’s Leading Light” has a unique bottom stamp and comes in a custom star-shaped tin. Unlike some stars that fade away, the Zippo lighter is guaranteed to shine forever.

2002
Collectible of the Year


To commemorate our 70th Anniversary, Zippo proudly introduced “Friends for a Lifetime“. Limited to only 70,000 worldwide, this eleventh and final Collectible of the Year is a distinctive brushed brass 1941 replica, with full-faced brass emblem and exclusive bottom stamp. Colorful tin pictures Zippo collectors and fans from National Zippo Day and the Zippo/Case Swap Meet. A special volume of personal stories from Zippo owners is included with this commemorative set only.

For 70 years, Zippo has been forging friendships worldwide. Carried to work, to important milestone events, even into battle, Zippo lighters are part of our lives and our history. Every Zippo lighter has a story - funny, poignant, even heroic - whenever or wherever a Zippo lighter clicks open, a conversation starts.

zippoclick.com Website is launched

The first official Zippo Click Collectors Club website is launched in June, 2002; right after the Zippo/Case International Swap Meet.

Zippo Click Club Collectible


The first official Zippo Click members-only lighter was the popular brushed chrome 1941 replica, showcasing the Zippo Click logo in full color.

Members had the option of having their lighter engraved with their member number. Lighters for the first 1,000 Zippo Click members also carry the “Charter Member” designation engraved on the front lid.

Several distinguishing characteristics identify the 1941 replica. The 1941 case has flat planes with sharp, less rounded edges where the front and back surfaces meet the sides. The lid and the bottom are joined with a four-barrel hinge, just as they were on the original 1941 design, rather than the current five-barrel hinge.

The inside unit closely replicates the design of the original 1941 model inside unit. Like the outside, the sides of the inside unit are flatter, with squared edges where they meet the front and back surfaces. The chimney has fewer holes than the current inside unit, and a hollow rivet holds the striking wheel in place, similar to the original 1941 design.

What else but the entertaining click clack tin would do for packaging this first Zippo Click special edition lighter? Printed with colorful graphics and the Zippo Click logo, the tin itself is a collector’s item. Push the center circle and the tin clicks open; squeeze the sides of the lid, and it clicks closed. A certificate of authenticity completed this special Zippo Click introductory commemorative.

Zippo Canada Final Production Run

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.

The final production run collectible signifies the end of an era with the closing of the Zippo Canada plant in July 2002. The Zippo Canada commemorative is limited to 25,000 pieces worldwide. Each individually numbered silver plated lighter carries the final imprint of the Zippo Canada bottom stamp, and is packaged in a replica gift box with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The engraved design on the lighter features a maple leaf flanked by the operation dates of the Zippo Canada plant. Banners above and below the central design identify it as the Zippo Canada Collector’s Edition, and engraving on the lid confirms this as the Final Production Run.