Zippo's story is the story of its employees. From their founder George G. Blaisdell to the many Zippo employees, customers and collectors, all of which have played an important role in the company's rich history.

Zippo history begins in the early 1930s at the Bradford Country Club in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Mr. Blaisdell saw a friend struggling to use a cumbersome lighter, made in Austria. Mr Blaisdell noticed that due to the unique chimney, the lighter works well in the wind, but the appearance and design was utilitarian and inefficient. The operation of the lighter requires the use of two hands, and its thin metal surface was easy to dent.

At the end of 1932, Mr Blaisdell decided to reconstruct the Austrian lighter. He made a small rectangular housing and attached a lid with a hinge. It preserved the chimney design that protects the flame. The result was an attractive lighter that could be easily operated with one hand. The name "Zippo" was created by Mr Blaisdell. He liked the sound of the word "Zipper", so he formed variations of the word until he chooses "Zippo" which in his opinion had a "modern" sound.

Zippo's diverse product line continues to grow and now includes lighter accessories, butane multi-purpose lighters, men's and women's fragrances, lifestyle accessories, glasses and products for outdoor enthusiasts. The Zippo pocket lighter is deeply rooted in American culture.