Having said that, it is important to remember that there are many different companies that make lighters. There is Zippo, Ronson, Pist-O-Liter, and Ferrocerium, among other brands.
Ronson
Founded in 1886, Ronson Lighter Company has 120 years of experience in manufacturing lighters. The company began as an adult store that catered to the ill at ease. The Ronson brand became famous in the 20th century. Today, Ronson lighters are available in a variety of styles. They are mainly made of metal, but they are also available in wood. The company is known for its innovations in the lighter industry.
Ronson diversified its manufacturing in the 1950s and 1960s. The company began producing lighters, butane fuel, and various accessories. It developed several styles of lighters, including the automatic and electronic-spark systems. They also produced kitchen appliances, bathroom products, and small components for the aircraft industry. The company had seventeen plants around the world in the 1950s and 1960s.
Ronson exported lighters to over 50 countries. In the United Kingdom, the company was particularly successful in the mid-1970s. However, the value of the British pound caused sales to fall for a while.
Pist-O-Liter
Despite a tumultuous history, the Pist-O-Liter has been around for the best part of a century. The company is best known for producing the Pist-O-Liter, a lighter that is as reliable as it is elegant. The company also manufactured the first electric lighter to be used in the UK. In addition to the Pist-O-Liter, the company has produced several other popular light sources, including the PIST-O-Liter XL and the PIST-O-Liter UL. The company’s products are currently manufactured in the UK, United States, and Ireland. The company is owned by the Zippo Group. Despite being the oldest company in the UK, the company has seen plenty of success in recent years. This is a tribute to the company’s commitment to quality. The company focuses on supplying high quality products in a timely and efficient manner, making it a popular choice for consumers. This has seen the company occupy several positions on several “best of” lists. The company’s products can be purchased online or at many retailers and stores across the country.
Ferrocerium
Invented by Austrian scientist Carl Auer von Welsbach in 1903, ferrocerium is a metal alloy consisting of iron, magnesium, lanthanum, and cerium. The alloy produces a hot spark when it is struck against a hard object. In addition, it can be oxidized by striking. Often mistaken for flint, ferrocerium is a good tool for starting a fire in survival situations.
Ferrocerium lighters were developed in many countries. During the late 1800s, they were produced in Europe, the U.S., Canada, and South Africa. These lighters used gunpowder to ignite the flame. Eventually, butane became the fuel of choice. Butane was cleaner and easier to control. It also produced less odor.
Ferrocerium lighters also tended to have a flint component, but these rods were not made of flint. Instead, a rod made of ferrocerium was used. It was also known as “fire steel” or “mischmetal” in some European countries.
Ferrocerium is an alloy that ignites when struck against a hard object, such as steel. It can reach up to 5,430 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to create a strong spark. Ferrocerium is also used as a striker for gas welding and cutting torches.
Zippo
Among the many fads that have come and gone in the world of lighters, the Zippo lighter has come to represent quality and style. These lighters, which have been manufactured for more than eighty years, have sold over 500 million lighters worldwide. They are also considered a collectible. Among the many features of the lighter, there is the rectangular metal shell with beveled edges and the gently curving flip-top.
The lighter began manufacturing in the early 1930s in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The inventor, George Grant Blaisdell, began work as a machinist at the age of 16. After World War I, Blaisdell took over the machine shop and began making Zippo lighters.
By the time Blaisdell died in 1978, his daughters had entrusted the running of the company to Robert Galey. Galey was hired to help counter the rising anti-smoking trends in the U.S. He started by promoting Zippo’s lighters as gift items. He then began targeting emerging markets such as South Asia, China and Russia.