Cool Material:
Here we are, some 83 years later, and the Zippo brand continues to thrive. Why? Well, there are a number of reasons—a determined founder, some clever ad placements, war—but one that shouldn’t be overlooked is collectibility, which is something Zippo has catered to—both knowingly and unknowingly—since its earliest days.
My father(s) all had Zippos and as a kid, it was a treat to be allowed to light their cigarettes (it was a different time) with one of them. They were Canadian sailors and had Zippos that were custom made with the name and image of their ships on them. I haven’t used a Zippo in a dozen years but I can still hear the click of it opening and closing in my head.
Zippos are the best. I used to own a vintage black chrome model. It disappeared when I broke up with a gal years ago. Lessons learned: never let your Zippo out of your sight and don’t date crazy redheads.
Yeah – been there, done that on both counts. 🙁
I quit smoking almost 7 years ago…and still have 7 different Zippos, from a very old brass one to a couple of modern black ones…I don’t use them anymore, but I still keep them safe and like to look at them now and then…Zippos rock 🙂
When I was in highschool/college, Zippo tricks were all the rage. They even had contests at nightclubs for the coolest tricks with a Zippo. They were one of those untarnishable brands of vintage American coolness, even when the entire country was up in arms against America.
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The only thing I miss about being a smoker is my Zippo lighter.
They also are still made in America, and still offer a lifetime warrantee. How many other American companies still do that?