One of the foundations of civilization as we know it is the ability to make and transport fire. Ever since our cave-dwelling ancestors rubbed sticks and stones together, humankind has pursued a quest for an efficient and reliable fire-making device - a quest that has inspired some of the most innovative inventions in history. The Legend of the Lighter traces this fascinating journey from the fire steels of the ancient world to the tinderboxes of the seventeenth century up to the modern cigarette lighter, which is featured here in an astonishing variety of designs.
Drawn from the unparalleled collection of the Dutch Lighter Museum Foundation, the numerous unique, distinctive, and whimsical lighters reproduced here chart the voyage of the lighter from an important scientific discovery to a treasured collector's item. Along the way, we learn about the history of the pipe, the popularization of smoking, and the growth of today's global marketplace, as well as other significant events and wondrous inventions that have played a role in the history of the lighter.