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. 

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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.