Ever since man first learned how to harness fire over 500,000 years ago, we have constantly been improving the way in which we carry and control it. Modern custom branded lighters might be sophisticated already in aspects of production and materials, but the basic components they have are no different to the first lighters invented two centuries ago.
One can pay a few cents for cheap plastic ones and a thousand for historically valuable variants. Survival kits should have a good lighter.
While technology may continue to advance, some things will never change and man will always be in need of the power of fire. A nice lighter, possess functionality and aesthetics and a great one is long-lasting and can still be used by the next generation.
Lighters in the Past
Two centuries ago, the origin of modern lighter was made. This was called "Dobereiner Lamp", the invention of popular German chemist Johann Wolfgang Dobereiner. As expected, the said invention had many drawbacks such as impractically large size and being perilous. The mechanism is as simple as creating a spark to ignite the hydrogen that is produced by the reaction between zinc and sulfuric acid. A far cry from the Bic lighters that are common today.The discovery of the substance called ferrocerium in 1903 has also furthered the development of lighters. While you might not automatically be aware of what this is, it's what it typically known as the "Flint" in a lighter. Hitting this synthetic alloy could create sparks that have a temperature of over 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This alloy is what allowed manufacturers to finally start producing the small, pocket sized lighters that we use today.
While Ronson was the first to create and mass produce lighters on a large scale, they were soon followed by other companies such as Zippo, founded in 1923 by George G. Blaisdell in Bradford Pennsylvania which has sold over 500,000,000 as of 2012. Founded in 1972, Bic lighters also made a name in the industry and they're highlighted at the Museum of Modern Art in New Work City.
Simple parts
From the cheapest gas station lighters to the ultra high tech survival models, all lighters have more or the less the same basic function, to create a reliable flame every time and thus, they more or less have the same primary components that the first lighters did over a hundred years ago.Fuel: Without fuel, you can't have fire. Most lighters use either pressurized butane gas such as BIC's or a liquid fluid, often called "Lighter fluid" that is used in Zippo's and the variations of that design. The latest type of fuel is electricity. The new types of lighters have greater usability because they create an electric arc rather than a flame.
The body: Popular ones are metal and plastic, which do not only hold the components together but also enable their function. There are even long-lasting brands, such as Zippos, that are made of very durable metal and parts that are removable, repairable, and replaceable. Meanwhile, BIC's had a plastic body and are disposable.
The Wheel: This is moved to ignite the fuel inside the lighter. Since the early 90's companies such as BIC have been forced to put Child Safety measures on their lighter, often resulting in the manufacturer's placing a cover over this part which requires the user to apply more force to cause a spark.
The Flint: This is struck when the wheel is used and the result is a spark to ignite the fuel. While most people think that it's actual flint, it's really a man made alloy called ferrocerium that is used in both BICS and Zippos.
The Flint Spring: This is a spring that is found under the flint and creates enough pressure for there to be a spark when struck by the Wheel. Flint springs in Zippos can be removed using a screw if there is a need to replace the flint.
The Wick: This is the drawer of the fuel from the lighter's body to the ignition port. Zippos and other liquid fueled lighters originally used cotton as a wick and now other materials are used as alternatives. Crickets and other butane lighters make use of the wick that appears as small, precision gas jet for controlling the fuel. With some models, this feature is adjustable to allow the user to control the height of the flame.
The Hood or Wind Screen: This protects the wick or gas jet in a way that the fire produced will not be extinguished by the wind and the combustion process will take longer. This feature is not found in electronic lighters.
The Cap: On liquid fueled lighters, primarily Zippo's, the cap is used as a way to keep the lighter fluid from evaporating while the lighter is not in use. When Zippo lighter is opened, this component allows it to achieve that unique "Click".
The Stuffing: Usually cotton-made, the stuffing services as the liquid fuel holder or a reservoir. Typically, these need to be "seasoned" a few times before they are able to hold an acceptable amount of lighter fluid and is part of the reason people say that it takes a few years of use to really break a Zippo in.
Various kinds of lighters
Most lighters fall into one of two categories, either liquid fueled lighters such as Zippos that are designed to last a lifetime or longer and butane lighters which are mass produced primarily to be disposable since you are unable to refill them or replace the Flint. With that said, some manufacturers provide refillable butane lighters that have good quality.During World War One, soldiers would often make their own lighters from used bullet shells called "Trench lighters" and these designs were then adopted by companies such as Zippo and Ronson.
The Ronson Company: Originally founded in 1898 in Newark New Jersey, Ronson was the first company that was able to produce a functional lighter that was embraced by the public. The existence of the alloy ferrocerium has made this possible. It gives the convenience of igniting the fuel through a hot, consistent spark. Larger, well-designed table top lighters are also made by the company in the decade of 1930, which are now very popular among item collectors. In February, 2010, the company sold its lighter and smoking accessories to the Zippo Company in Bradford Pennsylvania. Because of this, they were able to create high-end lighters that are more precise.
Clipper: These refillable butane lighters have been produced primarily in Barcelona Spain since 1972 and are notable for being refillable as well as having a removable flint system which makes these lighters very popular with people who roll their own cigarettes since it gives them something to pack down the tobacco with.
Alfred Dunhill: Starting out as a saddlery business in England in 1893, Alfred Dunhill has since become renowned for producing top of the line men's accessories such before they started producing butane lighters in 1956. Always the definition of class, the Dunhill lighter is what film star Sean Connery used in the James Bond film "Dr. No".
Colibri: Another producer of finely crafted men's goods, Colibri was founded in New York city in 1928 by Julius Lowenthal. This company is credited with inventing the first "semi-automatic" lighter as well as one of the very first electronic lighters.
Scripto: This company specialize in producing writing instruments and has been the biggest name in its industry years after its establishment in 1923 in Atlanta Georgia. "Scripto is a Latin word that means "I write" in English. Since 1955 they have been making butane lighters and, after being bought and sold several times, the company now only produces disposable lighter in a factory located in Tijuana Mexico.
Zippo: The Ronson company was pioneer in making a functional lighter for the public, but the actual game-changer was the Zippo company, which was founded in 1923 in Pennsylvania. This was one of the popular items to American soldiers during World War Two. G.I.'s believed that they will have luck if they engrave their name or a quote on the side. This company offer a lifetime warranty on their lighters, that are now over a half a million in count since the company was founded. They are ready to fix or replace any Zippo you send to them. In recent years, they have also expanded their line to include both Butane and Electronic models into their lineup as well as lending their name to other projects.
The distribution of BIC lighters to the public was started in 1973 and ever since, they have become among the world's most commended lighters, with a daily revenue of over 6 million all across 160 countries. The company ensures that every lighter is safe and easy to use that is why they conduct 50 different, quality control assessments that are automated. One of their marketing campaigns is their "Flick your BIC" logo, which was very successful. The company is still the source of top quality, reliable product that are offered at convenience stores for no more than two bucks.
Car lighters: Before you used it to charge your phone, the hole in your dashboard was designed to hold a flameless electronic lighter. It was a standard feature of most automobiles back then, but since there was a decline in the number of smokers over the years, it was later phased out.
Pop Culture lighters that are Quite Popular
The uniqueness in the style of lighters was Hollywood inspired. There's something about lighter brands like Zippo that lets us reminisce about something vintage. We were able to think about a black and white film that involves a bar where the jazz band plays and a hard crusted detective have some drink as he lights his cigarette.The beauty of the romantic ballad song in a concert would never exist without a sea of red embers and light orange created by the audience using their BIC's. During this moment, audience clap their hands and sing the chorus.
Cartoons such as Beavis and Butthead portrays how the lighter is a symbol of power and a means to control the fire other than being a mere tool. The late 90's movie "Encino Man" involves a caveman played by Brendan Fraser who goes wild and wreak havoc anything on his path and was calmed by a simple flickering of Pauly Shore's Bic.
Brandon Lee warns the bad guy that he's close by lighting up his sigil using his Zippo as The Crow. Time and time again, we see the lighter featured as a way to let us know this guy is the hero, this is the guy that we should be rooting for.
Summary
A good lighter is surely useful during campfires, birthdays, and a celebration of a new job promotion where you light a good cigar. Zippos have become considered heirlooms in the family considering that these lighters could be used beyond a lifetime.We can see fire as a symbol of change and the lighter is a tool that shows that the power of fire can be harnessed and controlled. In this regard, it's not surprising at all that we are so fascinated by such a simplistic device.
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