Throughout the 1930s the Zippo Company in Pennsylvania prospered on the growing success of its stylish, charismatic little cigarette lighter. The lighter was made mostly of brass, but with the Second World War that metal was declared a 'strategic material' in the US where huge amounts of it were needed for shell and cartridge casings. Zippo replaced the brass with steel, which can corrode, and wartime Zippos were given a new baked-on black 'crackle' finish to protect them. That non-reflective characteristic helped save the lives of many American soldiers in combat zones. The demand of the Armed Forces for the lighter led to the company to earmark its entire production for military. The big wartime market for the Zippo resulted in a rise of imitations. This book is illustrated with more than 140 unpublished photos those unique little lighters of old.
| ISBN: | 9781526777690 |
| Publication date: | 28th October 2021 |
| Author: | Philip Kaplan |
| Publisher: | Naval Institute Press |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 208 pages |
| Genres: |
Second World War History of the Americas Business and Management |
Throughout the 1930s the Zippo Company in Pennsylvania prospered on the growing success of its stylish, charismatic little cigarette lighter. The lighter was made mostly of brass, but with the Second World War that metal was declared a 'strategic material' in the US where huge amounts of it were needed for shell and cartridge casings. Zippo replaced the brass with steel, which can corrode, and wartime Zippos were given a new baked-on black 'crackle' finish to protect them. That non-reflective characteristic helped save the lives of many American soldiers in combat zones. The demand of the Armed Forces for the lighter led to the company to earmark its entire production for military. The big wartime market for the Zippo resulted in a rise of imitations. This book is illustrated with more than 140 unpublished photos those unique little lighters of old.
When Zippo Went to War features in the following genres: Second World War, History of the Americas, Business and Management
When Zippo Went to War is available in Hardback
When Zippo Went to War was written by Philip Kaplan and published by Naval Institute Press
When Zippo Went to War has 208 pages