Zippo Factory (Bradford)
Zippo Manufacturing Company, Bradford, Pennsylvania
Zippo was founded in Bradford, Pennsylvania, by George G. Blaisdell in 1932 and made its first windproof pocket lighter there in 1933. The Bradford factory can make up to 72,000 lighters a day and made Zippo's 600 millionth lighter on June 3, 2020. The 15,000-square-foot Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford, opened in 1997, includes the Zippo Repair Clinic.
- Company
- Zippo Manufacturing Company
- Status
- Operating
- Opened
- 1932
- Employees
- Not stated
- Industry
- Other manufacturing
- Revised
- November 12, 2026
What is made here
Zippo windproof lighters and accessories.
Facts
| First lighter | George G. Blaisdell produced the first Zippo pocket lighter in Bradford in 1933; it sold for $1.95 (company: kb.zippo.com) |
|---|---|
| Daily capacity | Zippo can make up to 72,000 lighters per day in Bradford (company: zippo.com) |
| 600 millionth | The 600 millionth Zippo lighter was made on June 3, 2020 (company: zippo.com) |
| Guarantee | Lifetime guarantee: "It works or we fix it free" (company: kb.zippo.com) |
| Zippo/Case Museum | Opened in July 1997 in Bradford; the 15,000-square-foot building houses a store, museum and the Zippo Repair Clinic (company: kb.zippo.com) |
| Founded | Founded in Bradford in 1932 by George Grant Blaisdell; the first Zippo lighter was made in early 1933 (reference: en.wikipedia.org) |
Figures are as stated by the source named next to each one. Company figures are the company's own claims.
Can you visit?
Zippo/Case Museum and store in Bradford (no factory tour stated) (kb.zippo.com) Check the operator's site before you go.
Sources
- Zippo: The history of Zippo (company, checked November 12, 2026)
- Zippo: 600 millionth Zippo lighter (company, checked November 12, 2026)
- Zippo (Wikipedia) (reference, checked November 11, 2026)
Something changed? Send a correction with a link and we'll recheck it.