The company’s milestones:

1932 - American inventor George G. Blaisdell founded Zippo Manufacturing Company.

1933 – The first Zippo lighter was launched, being inspired by an Austrian cigarette lighter of similar design made by IMCO. It got its name because Blaisdell liked the sound of the word "zipper," and "zippo" sounded more modern.

On March 3, 1936 - The U.S. Patent Office granted a patent for the Zippo lighter.

1942 - Upon America’s entry into World War II, Zippo ceased production of lighters for consumer markets and dedicated all manufacturing to the U.S. military. Zippo became an icon of America throughout the world as millions of American military personnel carried the lighter into battle.

1947 - George G. Blaisdell created a car that was made from two giant Zippo lighters. Today a re-creation of this 1947 productmobile travels to events across the country.

1949 - Zippo Manufacturing Company, Canada, Ltd. was established in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 1949 to avoid import duties.

1956 - The launch of the Zippo Slim pocket lighter is a major milestone and was designed to appeal primarily to women.

1958 - Date codes are stamped on the bottom of every Zippo lighter.

1960 - The “Encore Moment” - Concertgoers raise their Zippo windproof lighters during musical performances for the first time, starting a phenomenon that has been replicated all over the world.

1980 - Zippo greatly expands its overseas sales and marketing efforts. Zippo lighters are now sold in over 120 countries with Japan being the largest market outside of the U.S. Zippo also releases its first alternative lighter insert, allowing users to choose their preferred flame for the first time.

1986 -  Zippo began including a date code on all lighters showing the month and year of production.

1997 - The Zippo/Case Visitors Center opens in July with 15,000 square feet devoted to the history and evolution of two American brands.

2002 - Zippo expanded its product line to include a variety of utility-style multi-purpose lighters, known as Zippo MPLs. This was followed in 2005 with the Outdoor Utility Lighter, known as the OUL. These lighters are fueled with butane.

In August 2007 -  Zippo released a new butane lighter called the Zippo BLU.

2012 - The company manufactured its 500,000,000th lighter and celebrated its 80th anniversary.  

2018 - Zippo announced the sound trademark of its windproof lighter, making the Zippo lighter's click officially one of the most recognised sounds in the world.

According to timetoast.com; zippo.com; en.wikipedia.org. Source of photos: internet