The Zippo/Case Museum & Flagship Store

During World War II, the only people who could get their hands on a Zippo lighter were U.S. soldiers fighting for the Allies. Although George G. Blaisdell had founded the Zippo manufacturing company in Bradford, Pennsylvania, in 1932, it was the product’s role in the war effort that made it an American icon.  

The Zippo/Case Museum & Flagship Store in Bradford, Pennsylvania, tells that story in a permanent exhibition called “An Ally for the Allies,” which focuses on how both Zippo lighters and Case knives were used internationally for the first time by American soldiers during the war. The lighters and knives were reminders of home but also tools that worked consistently and well. 

The exhibition is the centerpiece of the 15,000-square-foot museum that tells the story of these two beloved brands. Visitors can take a self-guided tour that offers a trip through the various makes and models of Zippo lighters and Case knives over the years.  

The museum is an extension of the original Zippo store that the Blaisdell family founded in 1993. That same year, they also purchased the Case knives brand from W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Co., combining two iconic, Pennsylvania-based American brands in one company. 

If you plan to visit the museum and happen to own a Zippo lighter that isn’t working correctly, bring it along. An on-site repair clinic fixes Zippo brand lighters free of charge, and visitors can watch the repair technicians as they work. If you don’t yet own a Zippo lighter, the flagship store has you covered; it’s stocked with a wide variety of Zippo and Case products. 1932 Zippo Dr., Bradford, Pennsylvania 16701, 814/368-1932, zippo.com