ZIPPO

Zippo Manufacturing Company

"Zippo" the windproof lighter is a lighter brand that has become a trade mark and icon in international trade. Zippo Manufacturing Company is the maker windproof lighter with a lifetime warranty. These lighter products began to be marketed in the 1930s and currently has a variety of products such as various pocket knives, key chains, money clips, writing instruments, tape measure, and the latest multi-purpose lighters.

George G. Blaisdell founded the Zippo Manufacturing Company in the city of Bradford, Pennsylvania at age 37 in 1932. He was born on June 5, 1895 in the city of Bradford and in that time did not seem that a young George would become a successful businessman and well known in the years of severe depression. He received little formal education and hated school.

His father put it into a military academy, but George only lasted two years there until he was released. Then his father took him into the family business "The Blaisdell Machinery Company" where he learned about the metal, a science which is very useful in the development of Zippo lighters in subsequent years.

He took over the family business after World War I and then sell the "The Blaisdell Machinery Company" and invest in the petroleum business, which at that time became a business trend. But not long after oil prices fell along with other commodities into a Great Depression.

George is not an expert in the oil business, he even was the person who is the victim of this business trend. Because of hard times in the early 1930's, then he should do something for his family. He decided to seek capital from all over the place to begin establishing "Zippo Manufacturing Company."

There are rumors which say that George make a cigarette lighter was inspired when he saw someone who trouble to ignite the lighter in windy conditions. From this arose the idea to create a windproof lighters or "windproff" which looks attractive and easy to use. He later bought the patent for a cigarette lighter from Austria to shape the top can be removed. And redesigning the model in accordance with her wishes. He changed its shape into a rectangle and attaching the lid to the bottom with a hinge. And around its axis with a "windhood". Fascinated by the name of the other discoveries at that time, The Zipper, George finally called his new lighter with the name "Zippo" and provide a lifetime warranty

A business that does not make sense in the depression at the time, because a Zippo lighters should be sold at U.S. $ 1.95, whichever amount is the same at the time to buy food for one family. Will you be buying a cigarette lighter at that price during the depression? But there is no other choice for George except build a business that is considered stupid for most people.

Collection is the first successful launch in about January and February 1933. Shape is the same as now ie, rectangular but with sharp corners reply.

Part case or outer tube is made of brass material which is coated paint or chrome. Meanwhile, the hinge between the cover top and bottom tube is on the outside. Location of the hinge move to the inside in 1936. While Zippo containing 14 karat gold was first introduced to the public on tahun1939. And in subsequent years continued to be improving the quality and modification.

During World War II in progress, materials such as copper, brass and chrome (to coat the rusted iron that are not easily) be hard to find, since all goods are widely used for the needs of war. So during this Zippo wearing iron materials and given a black paint to reduce corrosion. Once painted and then baked so as to produce color Zippo finishing such as "black krackle". Due to the lack of material distribution in the year 1941-1945 Zippo intended only for the military, so the Zippo became so popular among soldiers. No wonder that in times of war, many American soldiers who carry a Zippo in their pockets.

Zippo new innovation again in 1950 with the launch of lighter skin coated. This lighter comes in a variety of color choices. Another feature during the 1950's was the release of type Zippo with a slightly slender shape (slim). While kind of slim with 14 karat gold plate issued in the 1960s.

Zippo Manufacturing Company continues to innovate on the lighter to be accepted by society into lighters which have a class of its own. One strategy is to remove the editions for the lighter. In 1969, when NASA successfully landed astronauts on the Moon This has been issue related to outer space. Next Zippo working with sports teams, political parties, product, automotive, history and others to display the emblem or nuance. Not to mention with some great brands that make the Zippo as one of complementary accessories such as Harley Davidson and Marlboro.

Broadly speaking launched a distinguished edition can be seen in the picture below:

Ketika Zippo pertama kali dikeluarkan bentuknya memang sudah empat persegi. Tapi bentuk sudutnya benar-benar kotak. Sedangkan pada masa kini hampir semuanya, sedikit melengkung di bagian sudut dan sisinya untuk menghindari penampilan yg kaku.

Semua desain yg diluncurkan tidak mengubah bentuk dasar Zippo. Pemantik api ini tetap terdiri dari dua bagian dengan engsel yang menyatukannya. Dan suatu ciri khas adalah ketika dibuka maka akan terdengar suara denting yg keras dan merdu. Hal inilah yg menjadikan daya tarik Zippo sebagai salah satu rancangan yang dikatakan bersifat abadi.

CODE DESCRIPTION

In each production, Zippo out certain codes which can be viewed at the bottom of this lighter. At the beginning of making the sign should be used to ensure the genuine and original product is to use the word Patent. In 1933 there were written in 1936 PAT.PENDING and new use of the word PAT.PENDING who is accompanied by seven digit number. Furthermore, from the end of 1955 which use the emblem in the form of point, line, or slash. In 1986 just wear a sign of "alphabet" from A to L which represents the month of manufacture and a distinguished Roman numerals representing the year of manufacture. In the alphabet still used today but it started in 2000 to the year of manufacture is represented by "2000" or "00" and so on. And in every Zippo who produced is always accompanied by a big Zippo writing in the middle and BRADFORD.PA or MADE IN USA on the left or right. All of it is done to maintain the originality of the cigarette lighter which is produced, due to rampant counterfeiting of these products.

first product was launched in 1933 which can still be seen in the Zippo Visitor Center with a note from Mr. handwriting. George Blaisdell. Zippo lighters have an excellent reputation and is widely known that lighters are eligible to serve as a valuable collection. "Zippo Click" is a distinguished collector club was formed and sponsored by the company's own Zippo. Also Zippo collectors club can be found in parts of other countries such as Britain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Japan and the United States and even in Indonesia and KASKUS particular. And to this day still holds its commitments as Zippo lighters which can be used properly and if not, then given guarantee to fix it for free. This is their slogan headliner

"It works or we fix it free"

Until now, Zippo has opened a network of sales representatives in more than 120 countries. And has produced more than 400 million units lighter. Zippo has also issued a guide book for the Zippo collector, where the contents of an illustration of lighters that have been marketed and a description of the series which has been launched. Also a description of the code date and year of manufacture which can be found at the bottom of each lighter Zippo.Dengan distinguished quality and the quality improved and the new design and unique appearance on every edition of its release, making the Zippo an interesting item for their collection.

sumber:wikipedia&www.zippo.com