“They Work”

Those two words form one of the shortest, simplest, and most successful slogans in American advertising history, as elegant and unpretentions as the product they describe: the Zippo lighter. This lavishly illustrated, first-ever history of the Zippo tells the whole story from its birth during the darkest days of the Depression to its current status as an instantly recognizable product prized by customers and collectors around the world. You’ll read about:

* Zippo in uniform

* Zippo in space

* Zippo goes to Hollywood

* Zippo trivia

Can a commercial product become an American classic? It can, if it’s a Zippo lighter.

Introduced in 1933, the first Zippo was one quarter-inch taller than today’s and had sharp corners and an external hinge. Aside from this, and some minor improvements to the flint wheel and case, today’s Zippo remains unchanged from the original.

What has changed is the world’s attitude towards the Zippo. Only a few hundred were sold during the company’s first several months: now, sales have topped the 300-million mark. Known for its elegantly simple design, extraordinary ease of use, and excellent reliability, the Zippo has become one of the world’s best-known products.

Its early advertising and marketing were as brilliant as its construction, constantly reminding us that the windproof lighter would work anywhere, in any weather. George G.Blaisdell, inventor of the Zippo, also invented its now famous lifetime guarantee: if a Zippo ever needs repair, the company will fix it absolutely free. That was true in 1933; it remains true today.

Zippo also pioneered using one product to promote another. Like the T-shirt, the Zippo has become a billboard for a mind-boggling array of advertising logos, insignias, and illustrations. Everything from the Three Stooges to sports teams, cars, NASA missions, and U.S. military emblems has appeared on its flat metal surface. It’s this vast variety of images all sitting on that simple, original design that has made Zippo so highly prized by collectors.

This collector’s companion book features everything a Zippo enthusiast could want to know: the complete history of the lighter from Blaisdell’s original concept to today’s modern manufacturing techniques: how Zippos became an essential part of the American soldier’s gear; how Zippos have played major roles in many movies and television shows; how Zippos got their name – and how they saved a student’s life.

With a color photo or nostalgic illustration on nearly every page. Zippo celebrates the lighter with no match, used where no match will light.