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HOW THE ZIPPO WAS MANUFACTURED 50 YEARS AGO


This rare display from the early 1950's, probably assembled by a Zippo employee, provides an idea how the Zippo was manufactured.  According to the Zippo Manufacturing Company's "Anatomy" the Zippo requires 22 parts and 108 manufacturing operations to complete. 

Click on the thumbnails for full sized images
     

Producing the lid:

    


Producing the case:

     

Producing the nickel silver insert:

        

 
Adding the cam, the wheel, the wick, the cotton balls, the pad and the flint:

     

 
The completed insert

               

The brass lid and case were then chrome plated to produce the finished Zippo, adding the box and instructions.