The Man Who Started the Zippo Legend
George G. Blaisdell
Founder,
Zippo Manufacturing Company
1895-1978
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"Build your product with integrity . . .stand behind it
100% and success will follow." - George G. Blaisdell
Zippo was founded in Bradford, Pennsylvania in 1932 when George G.
Blaisdell decided to create a lighter that would look good and be easy
to use. Blaisdell obtained the rights for an Austrian windproof lighter
with a removable top, and re-designed it to his own requirements.
He made the case rectangular and attached the lid to the bottom
with a welded hinge, and surrounded the wick with a wind hood.
Fascinated by another recent invention, the zipper, Blaisdell called
his new lighter "Zippo", and backed it with a Lifetime
Guarantee.
George G. Blaisdell was nicknamed "Mr. Zippo" by famous
WWII correspondent Ernie Pyle.
Zippo Manufacturing Company is still owned by second and third
generation members of the Blaisdell Family.
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