Zippo lighters. They are a classic piece of Americana. It’s hard to imagine some of the classic American motion pictures without the ever-present Zippo lighter.
First created in 1933 by George Blaisdell, the Zippo lighter was propelled into notoriety during the Second World War when service members began carrying them. In fact, during the war the company stopped manufacturing lighters for the civilian markets and focused exclusively on the war effort. It was then that the company switched from the original brass design and began manufacturing them from steel.
Throughout the years, as the world has shifted to prefer more disposable items, Zippos have have remained a staple in American culture.
Many preppers include Zippos in their stockpile. And why not? Their simple designs are durable and easily maintained.
If you are new to Zippo lighters and decide to include one in your supplies, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Store replacement parts. The lighters are durable and last a long time, however there are replacement parts that you should keep on hand for maintenance. Buy additional wicks and flints. The wicks eventually collect enough carbon on them so that they don’t light well and the flints will eventually wear out.
- Carry additional fuel. When I first saw the design on the Zippo lighter, I was surprised. There is no sealed reservoir for the fuel, it’s simply resides in cotton batting inside the lighter. It’s not a tight seal so the fuel can leak out or evaporate from the light over time.
