Now lighters are exclusively an attribute of a smoker, although they once acted as a universal source of fire, serving for different purposes. In addition, in the 20th century, another transformation occurred with them - from a purely utilitarian item of everyday use, lighters turned into a fashionable men's accessory.
History of lighters
The history of lighters begins in the first half of the 19th century- in 1816. Their very first prototype was called the Döbereiner lamp, on behalf of its inventor, the German chemist Johann W. Döbereiner. At that time, hydrogen, a very explosive mixture, was used as fuel for them. The catalyst was platinum, so considering its cost, one can only imagine how valuable the lighters were.
In addition to being expensive, the lighter had another significant drawback - it was completely unergonomic, so it was extremely difficult to hold it in your hand, and indeed to use it in general. It was more of a tabletop item than a pocket item. And yet, it was considered a sign of status and solidity.
The first functional lighters appeared around the beginning of the 20th century, around 1903, when, thanks to the discovery of another chemist (Carl von Welsbach from Austria), a completely new alloy was obtained - ferrocerium, which, when exposed to a metal element, produced a spark. This is what made it possible to turn massive lighters into a pocket attribute. The miniature version was finally formed by 1908.
Mass distribution of lighters began with the advent of cheap silicon, which replaced expensive platinum. By the end of 1918, the developers proposed an updated design, and two years later the lighter became all the rage and, at the time of the heyday of Art Deco culture, was both a male and female attribute.
The lighters experienced another reincarnation in 1930, when J. Blaisdell drew attention to them, who subsequently made their body ergonomic: the lighters not only became more convenient to hold, but they also received a windproof wick cover. He also converted the fuel container to a more efficient one and provided the lighters with a lid. Since then, these new products have become even more widespread, decreasing in price. And over time, automatic lighters appeared.
The most famous lighter manufacturers today are: trademarks ZIPPO, WINDMILL, SAROME, Ronson, PIERRE CARDIN, Lamborghini, DURAN, DIPLOMAT, COLIBRI, Caran d`Ache, BUGATTI, Im Corona, Philip Laurence, WENGER and others.
Types of men's lighters
Modern men's lighters are classified by ignition method, color, shape, size, fuel type and even flame type.
Types of men's lighters by ignition method
According to the method of ignition, men's lighters are:
- piezo (ignited using a special element that has a piezoelectric effect and upon physical impact gives a charge, producing a spark);
- sensory (at the moment the lid is opened, the gas supply starts and the sensor mechanism comes into effect - when a cigarette is brought to the sensitive element, it produces a spark);
- silicon (ignition occurs due to the use of a sparking material and mechanical friction against it with a special element; silicon requires periodic replacement).
Types of men's lighters by color and finish
Men's lighters are more varied in color. Nowadays, the following tones predominate, which are in demand among manufacturers and buyers:
- silver;
- gold;
- blue;
- red;
- black;
- copper;
- green;
- yellow;
- grey;
- chromium;
- brown;
- white, etc.
In the course and lighters with a matte body. In general, 95 percent of their composition is zinc alloys with various impurities. The body is coated with non-toxic varnishes and paints. The vast majority of these technologies are classified and belong to the manufacturers. There are also lighters with additional coating on the body. This role can be played by: rhodium, palladium, plastic, metal, gilding, polishing, silvering.
Types of men's lighters by fuel type
According to the type of fuel used, men's lighters are divided into:
- gasoline (ignition is produced by gasoline vapor);
- gas (liquefied propane or butane are used).
At the dawn of lighters - in the 1930s - they used so-called naphtha, a special oily substance obtained from petroleum. In 1940, the production of new products was launched in a more modern version - operating on the basis of butane.
Types of men's lighters by flame type
According to the type of flame, lighters (gas) are divided into:
- conventional (in them, gas exits at low speed from the valve located at the top through a divider and then mixes with air);
- with turbocharging (in them the gas first passes through a special turbine diaphragm with an extremely small opening cross-section and sharply increases speed; air enters through the side holes in the turbine).
You can choose a lighter simply based on the “like/dislike” principle or depending on what the man smokes - regular cigarettes, cigars or pipes. It is imperative to pay attention to the quality of joining of parts - since these are mechanisms that use highly flammable and fire-hazardous compounds, therefore there should be no gaps between the elements. Otherwise, gasoline will quickly evaporate, and the gas will immediately evaporate.
Precautions when using a lighter
Lighters from which fuel evaporates quickly are not suitable for use.- this indicates that they have a defect or an invisible crack. You also need to ensure that particles of small debris, dust and dirt do not get into the lighters. This will cause the outlet to become clogged and the hinged lid will not fit securely. Contact with moisture should also be avoided. It is best not to touch the turbine or divider - this can quickly damage the lighter.
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Details Views: 804The classification of modern lighters has two main sections: according to the type used in the device fuel and ignition method. In the first case, everything is simple: lighters can be refueled either with gas (liquefied butane or liquefied propane - the flame can reach temperatures from 800 to 1970 degrees Celsius) or gasoline vapor (the flame can reach temperatures from 1300 to 1400 degrees Celsius). In the case of ignition methods, there are more options. Common types of lighters include:
- Silicon lighters(use of sparking material, silicon, through friction under mechanical influence);
- Sensory lighters (when the lid is opened, the gas supply starts and the sensor mechanism operates; when you bring your finger to the sensor, the mechanism gives a spark);
- Electrical lighters or lighters with electronic ignition circuit (the principle of operation is based on the cyclic closing and opening of the electrical circuit by a spark-forming rod under the influence electromagnetic field. An iron-containing rod closes the circuit, turns on an electromagnet, which draws the rod into itself and thereby opens the circuit; then the rod returns to its original position under the action of a spring, and the process is repeated. The resulting electric arc ignites the gas.) As a subtype, battery-powered lighters can be distinguished (designed to operate from one or more batteries, is a pulse converter with a step-up transformer, produces many weak sparks while the button is pressed. There is also a similar type of battery-powered lighters (with possibility of recharging from the network and also with recharging from USB ));
- Piezo lighters(has in its design a piezoelectric element that has a piezoelectric effect; when subjected to mechanical action, it produces a charge and generates a spark).
In addition, lighters can be classified into the following types:
- cigars;
- tube;
- fireplace;
- kitchen;
- cool lighters;
- well, and everyone else.
Lighters can also be pocket or tabletop, disposable or reusable (with the possibility of refilling)
And I almost forgot, according to the type of flame, lighters are divided into those that have a pipe blower, adjustable flame and ordinary. Gas, in conventional lighters, comes out of the top valve through the divider at a low speed and is mixed with air at its outlet. In pipe-inflated lighters, the gas first passes through a special diaphragm in the turbine, through a very small hole with a sharp increase in speed. After this, through the side holes in the turbine, it draws in air and, under strong pressure, enters the flame former, which is located in the upper part of the turbine. A shaper is needed to give the flame the desired shape. In some turbo lighters, a spiral of refractory metal is installed above the turbine for stronger wind resistance. Due to thermal inertia, this spiral heats up and does not allow the fire to go out in a strong wind.
The ignition principle is based on the piezoelectric effect (from the Greek ?? - piezo - I press). This phenomenon, discovered by the brothers Jacques and Pierre Curie in 1880, is that when single crystals of certain substances are compressed, electric charges arise on their faces. This single crystal replaces flint in the lighter design.
The piezoelectric element in a lighter is a small quartz crystal endowed with piezoelectric properties. When voltage is applied to the crystal, crystal lattice is deformed and the dimensions of the crystal change. This is called the direct piezoelectric effect. Conversely, when a quartz crystal is stretched or compressed, tension is generated on its surface. This phenomenon is called the inverse piezoelectric effect. A weak blow to the quartz crystal located in the lighter generates a voltage of several hundred volts. This causes an electrical breakdown and a spark jumps between the electrodes. The gas catches fire.
By the way, a piezo lighter is a high-tech product, the brainchild of high technology the second half of the twentieth century and is a kind of mini-power plant... in the palm of your hand. In fact, isn’t it a miracle when pressing a finger on a key with a force of only 20-30 N is directly converted into a high voltage of 10-20 thousand volts? Moreover, this is a practically inexhaustible source of energy; the service life of the piezoelements of such a mechanism is at least 12 years!
These lighters do not require power sources or other consumables(except gas of course).
Piezoelectricity is generated through an innovative process that does not use standard electrical wires. Instead, the spark is produced using natural forces. The piezo igniter is very reliable.
Does not use piezoelectricity electrical connections, although many devices use wires to produce a spark in a specific location. To ignite such devices, you usually need to press a button. They are quite effective, easy to use, durable and require minimal maintenance.
Piezo lighters, as a rule, last much longer than mechanical lighters. The secret to their longevity is the lack of friction between the elements. However, if something happens to the piezoelectric element, you will not be able to repair it. No amount of cleaning will help him, “amateur” will kill the lighter completely. Note, however, that failure of the piezoelectric element is a very rare phenomenon.
In addition, piezo lighters are not at risk of gas leakage, which, unfortunately, often happens with flint lighters. Of course, we are talking here exclusively about high-quality piezo lighters from reliable manufacturers, and not about “black” market products.
Zippo is a legendary American gasoline lighter produced by the Zippo Manufacturing Company, which was founded in 1932. According to the official version, the idea to produce and sell reliable and affordable lighters came to the future founder and owner of the company, George Grant Blaisdell, when one day at a club he saw his friend’s discomfort when trying to light a cigarette. At first, Blaisdell tried to sell Austrian lighters, but found several shortcomings in them and, being an inventive man, improved the design and improved the characteristics of the model, giving the new product the name Zippo. In 1936 the design of the Zippo lighter was patented and has remained virtually unchanged since then - metal body rectangular shape, a hinged spring-loaded lid that can be easily opened with one hand, a special wall that protects the wick from side winds and, of course, a signature click when opening and closing the lid, which is also patented.
Over the past almost 80 years Zippo lighters became a symbol American quality and reliability, a cult item and a collectible (the company even produces a special guide for collectors). The museum existing next to the factory contains a huge number of models produced in different years: related unusual stories, belonged to famous people, samples from limited editions, experimental samples, models with all kinds of finishing options - you can study history using the exhibits of the Zippo Museum. There are not only traditional brass and nickel-plated lighters, but also models made of silver, gold, steel, leather and wood, and quantity various designs images and overlays on the body number in the tens of thousands. Since 1956 Narrow lighters are produced, intended mainly for women, and since 2005. - gas lighters.
Each classic Zippo lighter consists of 22 parts and requires 108 operations to produce it. All Zippo lighters have a stamp on the bottom with a logo, early models also have a patent number on the stamp, since 1957. The stamp indicates the year, and since 1986. and month of issue. In addition to the stamp, you can determine the authenticity of the lighter by the wheel, inscriptions on the inner case, wind shield and some other features.
Our online store of worthy gifts “Learta” presents Zippo lighters of various series. Lighters are supplied in a plastic or cardboard box with instructions attached. All Zippo lighters come with an unlimited international warranty, according to which any lighter “will be restored to working mechanical condition free of charge.” The warranty does not cover damage to cabinet finishes.
Zippo lighter sizes:
Wide (regular) lighter - 56x36x12 mm, weight (without fuel) 55 g.
Wide lighter in Armor case - 57x37x13 mm, weight 67 g.
Narrow lighter - 56x30x10 mm, weight 45 g.
", characterized by its small size, ease of use and reliability.
Gas lighters were invented later than gasoline ones and were joyfully welcomed by smokers, since they did not give off the pungent gasoline smell and could even be used to light cigars.
Ignition device
Several principles are used:
- spontaneous combustion of pyrophoric alloys (ferrocerium) during abrasion;
- ignition by a hot object (for example, wire, hot electric shock);
- ignition by an electric spark that occurs during the rapid closing and opening of an electrical contact or during a breakdown air gap high voltage- the latter can be generated using a piezoelectric element (in lighters without a power source) or a transformer (in lighters connected to the network or battery-powered - for example, some kitchen lighters);
- catalytic ignition of organic vapors.
Fuel
Gas lighters use liquefied propane or liquefied butane as fuel, which, after passing through the reducer, evaporates, forming a highly flammable mixture of gas and air.
Gasoline vapors burn in gasoline lighters.
Combustion temperature
Depending on the type of fuel, the temperature of the lighter flame can reach the following values:
- propane-butane - from 800 to 1970 °C;
- gasoline - 1300-1400 °C;
Gearbox
Design
The design of a lighter directly depends on its purpose. Pocket lighters have small sizes, they are easy to carry. The design is absolutely any, but the sizes are limited. Table lighters are quite rare. Such lighters are quite massive and are not designed to be carried. The design of such lighters can be any. There are also special fireplace lighters, with a large length they have a small width and thickness, and even lighters from famous brands. Not long ago, touch-sensitive lighters appeared, in which gas is ignited without mechanical influences, but by influencing the touch sensor.
Advertising
IN lately So-called advertising lighters are becoming increasingly popular. They are an ordinary pocket lighter with information, usually of an advertising nature, applied using silk-screen or pad printing. Widely used large networks shops and hotel and restaurant companies to advertise services and promote products.
Kitchen lighter
Many lighters for kitchen stoves They have an elongated spout (so you can light the oven with it) and come in several types.
Ignition type
Gas
Electrical
They were common in Soviet times; such a lighter is plugged into an outlet. The lighter is tied not only to the house, but also to electricity. If there is no electricity in the house, light gas stove impossible with such a lighter. Has the most powerful spark effect while the button is pressed. The principle of operation is based on the cyclic closing and opening of an electrical circuit by a spark-forming rod under the influence of an electromagnetic field. An iron-containing rod closes the circuit, turns on an electromagnet, which draws the rod into itself and thereby opens the circuit; then the rod returns to its original position under the action of a spring, and the process is repeated. The resulting electric arc ignites the gas. The advantages of such lighters: reliable and fast ignition of gas, simplicity and durability of the design. Disadvantages: dependence on external power supply, high level radio interference, danger of electrical injury.
Battery operated
Designed to operate on one or more batteries. It is a pulse converter with a step-up transformer. Gives off a lot of weak sparks while the button is pressed. There is also a similar type of lighters on batteries (with the ability to recharge from the mains).
Piezo
Does not require energy sources or other consumables. It has a piezoelectric in its design. Gives off several powerful sparks as the button moves in one direction and the other.
Certification
There are standards and regulations for the manufacture of lighters: for example, the ISO 9994:2005(E) standard Lighters - Safety specification (“Lighters - safety requirements”), which describes technical requirements to lighters different types, appropriate fire height, inertness of materials, etc.
Ban on souvenir lighters
The EU and a number of US states have adopted or are preparing to adopt legislative acts, prohibiting circulation souvenir lighters, made in the form of objects that are not lighters (animals, cartoon characters, lanterns, cameras, etc.), which can be mistaken by children for toys and lead to injuries, burns and fires in their hands.
Story
The first gas lighter, the Döbereiner flint, was invented by Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner in 1823. It was produced until 1880.
The first lighter with a modern "flint" was created after the invention of ferrocerium alloy by Baron Karl Auer von Welsbach in 1903 in Austria. It is this alloy that is the basis for the manufacture of “flints” for lighters. Then the flint lighter acquired a design that has survived virtually unchanged to this day: a specially jagged wheel strikes a spark from the “flint,” and the spark ignites a wick soaked in gasoline or gas escaping from the valve.
The development of lighters was accelerated during the First World War. Soldiers used matches to see the way in the dark, but the intense flash when lit gave away their location. The need for fire without a big flash fueled the development of the lighter industry. By the end of the war, lighters were a mass-produced product. The leader in the production of “flint” lighters at that time was the homeland of ferrocerium, Austria, as well as Germany. A little later, lighters began to be mass produced around the world.
During World War II, Zippo lighters, manufactured in the USA and distributed among American military personnel, have become the standard for reliability and functionality [ ] among liquid lighters.
See also
- The wheel lock is an invention of Leonardo da Vinci, with a mechanism similar to a lighter.
- Turbo lighter - a lighter with turbocharging.
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Links
- (Russian) . Retrieved August 21, 2010. .
- (English) . Retrieved August 21, 2010. .
Notes
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Excerpt characterizing the Lighter
“I was there,” Rostov said angrily, as if by doing so he wanted to insult the adjutant.Bolkonsky noticed the hussar’s condition and found it funny. He smiled slightly contemptuously.
- Yes! there are many stories about this matter now!
“Yes, stories,” Rostov spoke loudly, suddenly looking wildly at Boris and Bolkonsky, “yes, there are many stories, but our stories are the stories of those who were in the very fire of the enemy, our stories have weight, not stories of those staff guys who receive awards without doing anything.
– Which one do you suppose I belong to? – Prince Andrei said calmly and smiling especially pleasantly.
A strange feeling of embitterment and at the same time respect for the calmness of this figure was united at this time in Rostov’s soul.
“I’m not talking about you,” he said, “I don’t know you and, I admit, I don’t want to know.” I'm talking about staff in general.
“And I’ll tell you what,” Prince Andrei interrupted him with calm authority in his voice. “You want to insult me, and I am ready to agree with you that this is very easy to do if you do not have sufficient respect for yourself; but you must admit that both the time and place were chosen very badly for this. One of these days we will all have to be in a big, more serious duel, and besides, Drubetskoy, who says that he is your old friend, is not at all to blame for the fact that you had the misfortune of not liking my face. However,” he said, getting up, “you know my last name and know where to find me; but do not forget,” he added, “that I do not consider myself or you at all offended, and my advice, as a man older than you, is to leave this matter without consequences. So on Friday, after the show, I’m waiting for you, Drubetskoy; “goodbye,” Prince Andrei concluded and left, bowing to both.
Rostov remembered what he needed to answer only when he had already left. And he was even more angry because he forgot to say this. Rostov immediately ordered his horse to be brought in and, having said a dry goodbye to Boris, went home. Should he go to tomorrow? main apartment and call this broken adjutant or, in fact, leave this matter like that? there was a question that tormented him all the way. Either he thought angrily about the pleasure with which he would see the fear of this small, weak and proud man under his pistol, then he felt with surprise that of all the people he knew, there was no one he would want to have as his friend. , like this adjutant he hated.
On the next day of Boris’s meeting with Rostov, there was a review of Austrian and Russian troops, both fresh ones who came from Russia and those who returned from a campaign with Kutuzov. Both emperors, the Russian with the heir, the Tsarevich, and the Austrian with the Archduke, made this review of the allied army of 80 thousand.
From early morning, the smartly cleaned and groomed troops began to move, lining up on the field in front of the fortress. Then thousands of legs and bayonets with waving banners moved and, at the command of the officers, they stopped, turned around and lined up at intervals, bypassing other similar masses of infantry in different uniforms; then the elegant cavalry in blue, red, green embroidered uniforms with embroidered musicians in front, on black, red, gray horses, sounded with measured stomping and clanking; then, stretching out with its copper sound of cleaned, shining guns trembling on carriages and with its smell of armor, the artillery crawled between the infantry and cavalry and was placed in designated places. Not only generals in full dress uniform, with extremely thick and thin waists and reddened, propped up collars, necks, scarves and all orders; not only pomaded, well-dressed officers, but every soldier - with a fresh, washed and shaved face and equipment cleaned to the last possible shine, every horse, groomed so that its fur shone like satin and its mane was soaked hair by hair, - everyone felt that something serious, significant and solemn was happening. Each general and soldier felt their insignificance, recognizing themselves as a grain of sand in this sea of people, and together they felt their power, recognizing themselves as part of this huge whole.
Intense efforts and efforts began early in the morning, and at 10 o’clock everything was in the required order. There were rows on the huge field. The entire army was drawn up in three lines. Cavalry in front, artillery behind, infantry behind.
Between each row of troops there was, as it were, a street. Three parts of this army were sharply separated from one another: the combat Kutuzovskaya (in which the Pavlograd residents stood on the right flank in the front line), the army and guards regiments that came from Russia, and the Austrian army. But everyone stood under the same line, under the same leadership and in the same order.
An excited whisper swept through the leaves like the wind: “They’re coming!” they're coming! Frightened voices were heard, and a wave of bustle and final preparations ran through all the troops.
A moving group appeared ahead of Olmutz. And at the same time, although the day was windless, a light stream of wind ran through the army and slightly shook the weather vane's peaks and the unfurled banners, which fluttered against their poles. It seemed that the army itself, with this slight movement, expressed its joy at the approach of the sovereigns. One voice was heard: “Attention!” Then, like roosters at dawn, the voices repeated in different directions. And everything became quiet.
In the dead silence, only the clatter of horses could be heard. It was the retinue of emperors. The sovereigns approached the flank and the sounds of the trumpeters of the first cavalry regiment were heard playing the general march. It seemed that it was not the trumpeters who played this, but the army itself, rejoicing at the approach of the sovereign, naturally making these sounds. From behind these sounds, one young, gentle voice of Emperor Alexander was clearly heard. He said a greeting, and the first regiment barked: Hurrah! so deafeningly, continuously, joyfully that the people themselves were horrified by the number and strength of the bulk that they made up.
Rostov, standing in the front ranks of the Kutuzov army, to which the sovereign approached first, experienced the same feeling that every person in this army experienced - a feeling of self-forgetfulness, a proud consciousness of power and a passionate attraction to the one who was the reason for this triumph.
He felt that on one word of this man it depended that this entire community (and he, associated with it, an insignificant grain of sand) would go into fire and water, to crime, to death or to the greatest heroism, and therefore he could not help but tremble and freeze at the sight of this approaching word.
- Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! - it thundered from all sides, and one regiment after another received the sovereign with the sounds of a general march; then Hurrah!... general march and again Hurrah! and Hurray!! which, growing stronger and stronger, merged into a deafening roar.
Until the sovereign arrived, each regiment, in its silence and immobility, seemed like a lifeless body; As soon as the sovereign was compared to him, the regiment became animated and thundered, joining the roar of the entire line that the sovereign had already passed. At the terrible, deafening sound of these voices, in the midst of the masses of troops, motionless, as if petrified in their quadrangles, hundreds of horsemen of the retinue moved carelessly, but symmetrically and, most importantly, freely, and in front of them were two people - the emperors. The restrained passionate attention of this entire mass of people was then undividedly focused on them.
The handsome, young Emperor Alexander, in a horse guards uniform, in a triangular hat, put on from the brim, with his pleasant face and sonorous, quiet voice attracted all the attention.
Rostov stood not far from the trumpeters and from afar, with his keen eyes, recognized the sovereign and watched his approach. When the sovereign approached to a distance of 20 steps and Nicholas clearly, down to all the details, examined the beautiful, young and happy face of the emperor, he experienced a feeling of tenderness and delight, the likes of which he had never experienced. Everything—every feature, every movement—seemed charming to him in the sovereign.
Stopping opposite the Pavlograd regiment, the sovereign said something in French to the Austrian emperor and smiled.
Or gasoline. In addition, lighters are used various types ignition - flint, piezoelectric, etc.
Gasoline lighters appeared at the beginning of the 20th century and at first were not very reliable. Zippo gasoline lighters were introduced in 1932 and have a cult status due to their reliability and remarkable history.
An Austrian lighter from the 1920s, which served as the prototype for the creation of Zippo lighters.
Gas lighters were invented later than gasoline lighters and were joyfully welcomed by smokers, since they did not give off the pungent gasoline smell and could even be used to light cigars.
Ignition device
Gas lighter with pyrophoric “flint” (cerium alloy - mischmetal).
The principle of operation is based on the spontaneous combustion of pyrophoric alloys (ferrocerium) during abrasion; ignition by a wire heated by electric current, touching with a hot object; piezoelectric discharge; catalytic ignition of organic vapors.
Fuel
Gas lighters use liquefied propane or liquefied butane as fuel, which, after passing through the reducer, evaporates, forming a highly flammable mixture of gas and air.
Gasoline vapors burn in gasoline lighters.
Combustion temperature
Depending on the type of fuel, the lighter flame can reach the following temperatures:
- propane-butane - from 800 to 1970 °C;
- gasoline - 1300-1400 °C;
Gearbox
Design
The design of a lighter directly depends on its purpose. Pocket lighters are small in size and easy to carry. The design is absolutely any, but the sizes are limited. Table lighters are quite rare. Such lighters are quite massive and are not designed to be carried. The design of such lighters can be any. There are also special fireplace lighters; while they are long, they have a small width and thickness, and even lighters from well-known brands. Not so long ago, touch lighters appeared, in which gas ignition occurs without mechanical influence, but by acting on a touch sensor. Recently, so-called branded or advertising lighters have become increasingly popular. They are a regular pocket lighter, onto which the necessary information is applied. The information is usually of an advertising nature. Widely used by large chain stores and HoReCa establishments. Lighters with information are also used for promotions. Information is usually applied to inexpensive plastic lighters using silk-screen or pad printing.
Kitchen lighter
Many stove lighters have an extended spout (so you can light the oven with it) and come in several types.
Ignition type
Gas
A regular lighter with a gas container, an elongated spout and piezoelectric ignition. The lighter is also suitable for lighting fires and fireplaces. Gas lighters come in regular and turbo versions.
Electrical
They were common in Soviet times; such a lighter is plugged into an outlet. The lighter is tied not only to the house but also to electricity. If there is no electricity in the house, it is impossible to light a gas stove with such a lighter. Has the most powerful spark effect while the button is pressed. The principle of operation is based on the cyclic closing and opening of the electrical circuit by a spark-forming rod under the influence of an electromagnetic field. The iron-containing rod closes the circuit, turns on the electromagnet, which retracts the rod and thereby opens the circuit, the rod returns to its original position under the action of a spring and the process repeats. The resulting electric arc ignites the gas. The advantages of such lighters: reliable and fast ignition of gas, simplicity and durability of the design. Disadvantages: dependence on an external power supply circuit, high level of radio interference, risk of electrical injury.
Battery operated
Designed to operate on one or more batteries. It is a pulse converter with a step-up transformer. Gives off a lot of weak sparks while the button is pressed.
Piezo
Does not require energy sources or other consumables. It has a piezoelectric in its design. Gives off several powerful sparks as the button moves in one direction and the other.
Ban on souvenir lighters
The EU and a number of US states have adopted or are preparing to adopt legislation prohibiting the circulation of souvenir lighters made in the form of objects that are not lighters (animals, cartoon characters, lanterns, cameras, etc.), which may be mistaken by children for toys, and lead to injuries, burns and fires in their hands.
Story
The first lighter, the Döbereiner flint, was invented by Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner in 1823. It was produced until 1880.
The first flint lighter was created after the invention of ferrocerium alloy by Baron Karl von Auerbach in 1906 in Austria. It is this alloy that is the basis for the manufacture of “flints” for lighters. Then the flint lighter acquired a design that has survived virtually unchanged to this day: a specially jagged wheel strikes a spark from the “flint,” and the spark ignites a wick soaked in gasoline or gas coming out of the valve.
The development of lighters was accelerated during the First World War. Soldiers used matches to see the way in the dark, but the intense flash when lit gave away their location. The need for fire without a big flash fueled the lighter industry. By the end of the war, lighters were a mass-produced product. The leader in the production of flint lighters at that time was the homeland of ferrocerium, Austria, as well as Germany. A little later, lighters began to be mass produced around the world.
During World War II, Zippo lighters, manufactured in the USA and distributed among American military personnel, became the standard for reliability and functionality among liquid lighters.
See also
- The wheel lock is an invention of Leonardo da Vinci, with a mechanism similar to a lighter.
Links
- Russian-language online encyclopedia of lighters (Russian). Archived
- Website of an English collector about rare and vintage lighters (English). Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2010.