Zippos Used During the World War II

Zippo lighters made a major statement during World War II. Since brass and copper were in short supply due to the war, these Zippos were made of steel. They were dipped in a black coating to protect against rusting. This would often give the lighters a "crackled" appearance because the paint would wear off around the edges.

Soldiers found Zippo lighters as one of their most useful items. They could work under almost any amount of wind, rain, or snow. Used to light campfires, heat food in their helmet, spark fuses, signal troops, and other purposes proved to be a valuable necessity. From 1943 until the end of the war, Zippo Corporation produced lighters only for the armed forces.

Troops would often carve signatures, pictures, or create other designs on their Zippos. These images have come to be known as "trench art".

More recently, Zippo Corporation has released commemorative editions of World War II lighters. Since the war, every U.S. navy ship has been commemorated on a Zippo lighter.

Ernie Pyle, a WWII soldier, once wrote, "If I were to tell you how much these Zippos are coveted at the front and the gratitude and delight with which the boys receive them, you would probably accuse me of exaggeration. I truly believe that the Zippo lighter is the most coveted thing in the army." (August 7, 1944)