Lighter

Lighter is a portable device used to create a flame, and to ignite a variety of combustible materials, such as cigars, gas stoves, fireworks, candles or cigarettes. It consists of a metal or plastic container filled with a flammable fluid or pressurized liquid gas, a means of ignition to produce the flame, and some provision for extinguishing the flame.

History

The first lighters were converted flintlock pistols that used gunpowder. One of the first lighters was invented by the German chemist named Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner in 1823 and was often called Döbereiner's lamp. This lighter worked by passing flammable hydrogen gas, produced within the lighter by a chemical reaction, over a platinum metal catalyst which in turn caused it to ignite and give off a great amount of heat and light.

Types of Lighters

There are various types of lighters including butane, electric, and the Zippo lighter.

Butane Lighter

Butane lighters have a valved orifice that meters the butane gas as it escapes. A spark is created by striking metal against a flint, or by pressing a button that compresses a piezoelectric crystal (piezo ignition), generating an electric arc. In naphtha lighters, the liquid is sufficiently volatile, and flammable vapour is present as soon as the top of the lighter is opened.

Electric Lighter

Electric lighters use a small rechargeable battery to produce a spark. These are often used for igniting gas stoves and ovens.

Zippo Lighter

The Zippo lighter is a reusable metal lighter manufactured by American Zippo Manufacturing Company of Bradford, Pennsylvania, United States of America. Thousands of different styles and designs have been made in the eight decades since their introduction including military versions for specific regiments.

Safety

Lighters are subject to safety standards in most countries. In the United States, for example, lighters are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Additionally, in the European Union, there is the European EN 13869 Child Resistance for Lighters regulation.

See Also

• Fire
• Flint
• Flame

Lighter Resources
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