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About Mysterious America

This column, hosted by our own Dr. Seymour O'life, goes out of its way to bring you the bizarre, strange, uncanny, and just plain mysterious places that dot this fair land. Perhaps it is a huge Buddha statue in New York or a state park in Pennsylvania, where the stones ring like bells - each month is always a peculiar jewel when it comes to Mysterious America.

Zippo Case Museum

1932 Zippo Drive, Bradford, Pennsylvania 16701 • 814-368-1932

When it comes to American icons many things can pop into your mind. One thing that did not float into my gray matter was the name Zippo.

That has now changed and I am sure if the Made in the USA lighter that is found around the world is not on your short list of home grown icons than it will be after you visit the Zippo Case Museum in Bradford, Pennsylvania.

As a non-smoker I almost passed on this visit, but as a lover of things cool and mysterious the classic lighter is just that – classic.

But how did this lighter come to be and how did it become the most famous lighter on the planet? The Zippo Lighters story began back in the 1930’s. A fellow by the name of George Blaisdell was a local country club member and was watching a friend trying to light a cigarette with an Austrian lighter. Although awkward and needing two hands to operate, George saw good things in the design of his friends lighter, especially the small chimney that allowed for it to stay burning even in a strong wind.

Building on that design Blaisdell began to fashion his own design for a lighter. Blaisdell fabricated a rectangular case and attached the top of the lighter to the case with a hinge. He retained the chimney design which protected the flame under adverse conditions. The result was a lighter that looked good and was easy to operate. The first lighter, currently displayed at the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford, was produced in early 1933.

I wondered where the word “Zippo” came from?

It turns out George liked the sound of the word “zipper” so he formed different variations on the word and settled on “Zippo,” deciding that it had a “modern” sound and the legend began.

The first Zippo lighters sold for $ 1.95 each. And, from the very beginning, they were backed by Mr. Blaisdell’s unconditional lifetime guarantee – “It works or we fix it free.” The design of the Zippo lighter basically remains the same to this day, with minor improvements and you can find the venerable flame all around the globe.

World War II had a profound effect on Zippo. Upon America’s entry in the war, Zippo ceased production of lighters for consumer markets and dedicated all manufacturing to the U.S. military. The military initiative led to the production of the steel-case Zippo with black “crackle” finish. The fact that millions of American military personnel carried the lighter into battle was a significant catalyst in establishing Zippo as an icon of America throughout the world.

While visiting the Zippo Museum, where admission is always free, you will learn more of the history of Zippo and its sister company the famous Case knives.

The first thing you’ll see at the museum is just how many different logos, designs and companies have gotten their image on a Zippo lighter.

Tons of rock bands, every Apollo mission, Major League Baseball team and NFL Football franchises have a lighter. We even found one for Notso and his ilk!

What really impressed me was how the Zippo has become such a part of Hollywood. They have a display of famous movie shots. Bruce Willis in Die Hard. Steve Martin receiving a Zippo from his black Dad in The Jerk.

And, my favorite, Kurt Russel, the first Jack O’Neil, in the Stargate movie showing the magic of creating fire to Skarra on the planet Abydos.

There is no question that this is “the” most famous of flame-makers.

Another touching display is of a lighter lost on D-Day at Omaha Beach. Crossing the Channel a soldier etched his name on the lighter, which promptly hit the ground when this soldier hit the beach.

Years later it was found and returned to Zippo who went in search of this man. They did finally find him, but not before he passed just two years before. A bittersweet, yet touching Zippo story.

Case Knives are also very impressive and are worthy of icon status as well.

As you would think there is a large Zippo and Case store located at the Museum and you have an unbelievable selection of lighters to choose from.

As I stated, I do not smoke, but yet I found myself mysteriously drawn to the idea of purchasing a Zippo to call my own. The choices were staggering, but eventually I set my sights on a plain gunmetal Zippo in a 1941-style design, much like the famous World War II Zippo.

A very cool little tool that will travel with me and be flashed out anytime a beautiful damsel needs a light or to help with a buddy’s cigar.

Zippo - who would have thought that such a simply designed lighter would make it around the world and into a part of Mysterious America.

Bradford is way out in western PA, so we’ll magically transport ourselves to Mid-State where we’ll start this ride at Locke Haven. O’Life out!