Butane lighters:

As Ronson's most famous lighter, the Premier MK I (a later follow-up as the snufferless MK II), design from 1957 by Seymore Rappaport, was the most worldwide known one. But Ronson made several lighters since 1897. Louis V. Aronson is the founder of the 'Art Metal Company'. This company made several things, from children's toys to jewelleryboxes, car-radiators and parts of churchorgans. During a vacation Louis met Alfred Dunhill and is inspired by his lighter. This is a manual one. It means that it has three handlings to get fire and to put it out again. Louis combines his ideas and designs a one movement lighter (this is in 1926). This full-automatic lighter (the Banjo) develops later on to the Standard (in 1929). This is a very famous lighter. Uses flints and petrol.

1948 Ronson introduces his first butane lighter. Design is 'Standard-like' but this lighter uses a separate butane reservoir. The Vanguard is one of them. The late 50's is for Ronson the great breakthrough. The Premier is launched, the first Varaflame (adjustable flame). A third big succes is the Comet (in 1962) designed by Conrad Zellweger and William Retzler. In a period of 15 years Ronson sells 50 milj. Comets. In the year 1970 there comes a followup for the still popular Premier, the Premier MK II. A snufferless lighter. The different burner (Comet-like with lever) causes more problems.

1970 is also the year for a different ignition. The reliable flint has made place for the Piezo ignition. At the same time a German factory of Ronson makes an electronic system, supported by a 12 V. battery.

The Ronson's, busy people:

A few facts:

- inventor of the first automatic lighter

- inventor of the first refill gas-lighter

- inventor of the 'varaflame'

- inventor of the aerosol gas-can

- Ian Flemming gave James Bond in his books a Ronson lighter

- John Fairfax crossed the ocean in a rowboat and used a Ronson to light his stove

- they made hydraulic and pneumatic equipment for Boeing and Douglas

- inventor of electroplating

Are you interested in more history about the Ronson factory's, just look at the site of Alfons 't Hart Trading Holland (www.alfonsthart.nl). The text you will find is written in Dutch!