Monday, May 2, 2011

All About The Butane Lighter

Are you a smoker?  If so, you probably use a butane lighter.  Each day, many people use a butane lighter for a variety of reasons.  This includes lighting a cigarette or cigar, fireplace, or candle, just to name a few.  A butane lighter makes it easy to light anything almost instantly.  The butane lighter has a long history that helped to shape its existence.


The first lighter was invented in 1816 by Johann Wolfgang Determiner.  He created the lighter using hydrogen and glass.  Hydrogen was used to provide power and platinum helped to create the flame.  Platinum was extremely costly so only the very rich could afford these lighters.  Production of these lighters stopped in the 1880s because they were unsafe and dangerous.


The next popular lighter creation was flint lighters.  These became the latest lighter craze in 1908.  These were extremely easy to use because of their small size.  Flint was used to replace platinum and oil helped to power the device, instead of using hydrogen.  These lighters were readily available by the end of the first World War.







There is no specific information available regarding who started using butane as a lighter fluid, but there are many benefits to this tool.  The flame was controllable and a wick did not need to be replaced.  The beginning models of butane lighters utilized flint to start the flame.  Smokers did not like this because they always had to replace the flint in their lighter.


Piezoelectricity, which was invented during the 1800s, came into play after the first World War.  This new technology helped to create a spark.  The word "piezo" means pressure.  This technology was used in various lighters during the 1950s.


There are a variety of butane lighters available today.  This includes different shapes, sizes, and colors.  A butane lighter can be windproof, multi flame, torchlight, green flame, and more.  This gives cigarette, cigar and pipe smokers many ways to enjoy their hobby.  There are even a variety of lights that are shaped into certain figures for more individual and creative smokers.  If fashion is a big interest, smokers can also purchase a butane lighter from some fashion designers!  There options are endless.


Since 1972, disposable lighters have been available to all smokers.  This offered a convenient way for smokers to light up their cigarette or cigar no matter where they were.  While disposable lighters continue to be popular, there is still a big market for butane lighters.  Many people choose to use a butane lighter that has been in their family for years.  If you happen to use a disposable or reusable butane lighter, think about the history that this tool has been through.  Because of this great invention, you're able to enjoy many smoking experiences.

1 comment:

  1. Hey Ray,
    I think Johan was so talented ,right ?
    ha ha!

    Otherwise who would make our favorite butane lighter !

    ReplyDelete