Would you ever consider
paying $34 for a lighter? What about $125? That's the price range of a Zippo lighter. Expensive? Yes. But people insist that
these beloved lighters are not only functional but a
sentimental little treasure. The first Zippo was produced in 1933, and it quickly rose to
prominence during World War II. Since then, these lighters
have become synonymous with the US military and have gone on to become super popular in pop culture, Hollywood,
and on Broadway stages. Clip: Can I have a light? Narrator: 87 years
later, Zippo manufactures about 70,000 lighters per day in their Bradford, Pennsylvania, facility. We got a look at how
these lighters are made. The process begins with
large sheets of brass being shaped into the case's
top and bottom pieces. After the case is put together, the pieces go into a nickel bath, which acts as an adhesive
for the chrome finish. Once they're rinsed in
the bath five times, they'll go into the chrome
tank for four minutes, then emerge as a shiny,
chrome-plated case. About 3,400 pieces are
chrome-plated every hour. Next is creating the lighter insert. This holds the lighter fuel
and sparking components. See those little holes? They're strategically put there to make the lighter windproof,
a rare feature for lighters. The flint spring and the flint wheel create the spark for the flame. It's the movement of the two
that generates the spark. Next is the wick. The wick zigzags through
cotton that acts as a sponge for the lighter fuel,
which is added later on. The insert is finally put into the case. Lastly, each lighter is
meticulously inspected to make sure all its components are there, including the signature click noise Zippo lighters are known for.
