What Are Case XX Zippo Lighters?

Zippo/Case History

• One of America's best-known companies, Zippo Lighters began when George Blaisdell decided to remodel the Austrian lighter, providing consumers with a windproof portable product. In 1933, the first Zippo found its way into the hands of consumers. By the late '30s, Blaisdell had a contract to produce 500 company-advertised lighters for Kendall Company. In 1993, Zippo purchased W. R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company. The Case logo soon found a place on Zippo lighters.

Case XX

• The Case XX logo came about during the manufacturing process. Tempering steel requires heating at high temperatures with quick cooling. When workers at Case placed knives into the ovens for the first time, they marked the front of the pan the knife blades sat in with an X. The first time in the oven makes the knife blade hard, but the blades are brittle. The second time in the oven tempers the steel. Two X's meant double processing assuring consumers of steel that is properly heat-treated.

Collecting

• People around the world collect Zippo lighters. The Case XX lighters combine the excellence of double-tested steel with the coveted Zippo mechanics, creating lighters collectors relish. Recently, the company released several new Case XX designs. These designs include logos that commemorate the Case Brothers, the Case XX back pocketknife and Job Case, patriarch of the Case family. In addition, Zippo created an American Flag Case XX lighter as well as a 30th Anniversary commemorative lighter for the Case Collectors Club.

Made in the USA

• Zippo lighters are a marketing success that is nearly unmatched; 98 percent of people recognize the Zippo name and lighter. Millions of the lighters went to Europe, Africa and Asia with American troops in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. With their lifetime guarantee, Zippo lighters pass from generation to generation continuing the romance begun in the '30s.