Question I've never seen brought up

[~> Ace of Hearts <~]

So I figured I'd ask it.. hopefully it goes along with the "there are no
stupid questions " rule. Why are there no Nazi Zippos? I know Zippo
was established in the 30's right before the Nazi regim so they were
around.. Any solutions?? I just figured they'd be HUGE collector's
peices..

[bigbaddad]

We talked about this one once or twice back in the click.Zippo never did one for the Nazi's back then or Japan for that matter but,I have seen several WWII models with assorted German military items attached.I do not know if they were done by the Allies with captured items or, if they were lighters taken by German soldiers in the field.The last two or three I saw on ebay went crazy for a price.I have a friend who owns a tattoo shop and he has a few of them himself with other WWII military items.I have had a good look at them and they seem as if they were done back then and not something done to make a sale later.You are right there are no stupid questions.Fact is that one makes a lot of sense to ask.bbd

[arthurdent]

Ace,

I think that the answer is quite simple really in that as the Germans at that time were the enemy why would Zippo produce any lighters for them or about them. I mean would you make something about someone you hate other than a voodoo doll or dart board backdrop or effigy to burn?

As to prewar, well Zippo probably had no interest in the Nazi regime or promoting it as such and I doubt that the Nazi party had that sort of promotional item in mind. Then again, a few Zippos would have been good for all that book burning!

[~> Ace of Hearts <~]

Thanks for the help boys. And, arthurdent, you're exactly right, it
WOULDN'T make sense for an American company to manufacture
products for a balligerant nation.. but Henry Ford supplied them with
funding I once heard.. but I am mostly concerned with In-Field Zippo's
like those running ramant on Ebay from Vietnam..but thanks again guys
you definately hit on a few of my Q's..

[bigbaddad]

Bob,Fact is many U.S. companies did do a lot of work with the Nazi's before the war.Fact is they had big rallies to raise membership(and money) in the Nazi party in North America.One they held in Madison Square Garden in New York in the late 30's.I do not think Zippo did not want to be involved with them but I think it is a case of why, would they want to get lighters from the states when there were so many companies in Europe that could provide them.Back then Lighter companies did not do military lighters that we think of today anyway so getting unit lighters back then was just not done.bbd
ps,Ace you get a gold star on you home work about Ford.You are very correct about ol' henry.Fact is he wanted to set up shop in Germany.

[arthurdent]

I stand corrected! Thanks Jeff.

[bigbaddad]

Sorry Bobby.I think I think to much about that history stuff.Man i need to get a better life.I can tell things that happened 50-60 years ago but can't remember last week.bbd

[Spanish Flea]

Good 'ol Communist Ford. A little more on Mr. Ford. He was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor from Hitler. (he didn't accept) but he's the only non Nazi to get one.

Ford had a chance to buy the Volkswagen factory after the war. But he didn't because he thought the car was ugly. LOL.

Ford brought over Nazi personal to look at his factory, so they can better learn the assembly line.

Much more, I'm tired of typing.

Spanish Flea

[~> Ace of Hearts <~]

Woohoo! Gold star baby! Jeprody here I come! It's true though.. you
REALLY do learn something EVERY day... ;D

[phdmatt2002]

remember when the hindingberg crashed, during the funeral people gave the nazi salute over the deceased bodies, but the reason why they used hydrogen instead of helium was because the US wouldnt sell them any (they get helium from natural gas wells, in Texas Oklahoma and Kansas)

[bigbaddad]

So glad to see I am not the only one into all that stuff.My wife was really starting to worry about all the history stuff I remember.Still can't remember what was for supper last night but the rest sticks like glue.BBD