Pocket Lighters

The shape of pocket lighters can be traced back to the days of its predecessor the match. In olden days, accidental ingnitions were common with matches and so matches were typically stored in a metal box in the pocket to prevent this. Following technology advances, the first pocket lighters stuck to this design format and influence which can still be seen today in modern pocket lighters.

The most popular pocket lighters today are Zippo. Zippo pocket lighters began in 1932 when George Blaisdell, an entrepreneur and businessman from Bradford, Pennsylvania, set about trying to invent the perfect automatic pocket lighter. He could have no idea that 80 years later collectors and enthusiasts would be building collections of vintage pocket lighters around the world.