Who invented vaping and when did vaping become popular?
When was Vapes Invented: The Vaping History Process
Electronic vaporizers have recently become popular. Unbeknownst to us, people have been looking for alternatives to traditional smoking since as early as 1927. This led to the advancement of e-cigarette products, from the very first “cig-a-likes” to the more modern disposable Vapes we use today. They have become popular for their convenience, flavor, and versatility, bringing Vapes products into the future.
When were e-cigarettes invented and who invented them?
1927: Joseph Robinson
Although e-cigarette products have been all the rage in recent years, they have a long and illustrious history that dates back to 1927. That’s when Joseph Robinson invented the first “electronic vaporizer”.
The figures in the patent show that the device itself looked very much like today’s Vapes products, with similar shapes and components. He called it a “mechanical butane ignition vaporizer” and said the device would be used for medicinal compounds and applied for a patent in May 1927. What excited him was that the device allowed the user to
inhale the vapor without the risk of burns. Hypothetically, the device was intended to minimize accidents caused by smoking, such as burns or fires.
To date, no prototype has ever been manufactured by Robinson or his patents, and it has certainly never been commercialized. Unbeknownst to him, this is a clear indication that cigarette alternatives have been a top priority for nearly 100 years.
1963: Herbert Gilbert
Fast-forward more than 40 years and another inventor adopted the idea. 1963, Herbert Gilbert used the technology available at that time to create a cigarette substitute that did not use combustion. This was critical to the invention of the Vapes product because it was the same technology used in our modern Vapes products today.
His invention, patented in 1965, was nicotine-free and produced a flavored vapor designed to replace tobacco smoke. He even designed the prototype. Unbeknownst to him, in making some of these prototypes, he realized the limitations of existing technology for e-cigarette products, namely batteries. the batteries available in the early 1960s were either expensive and limited capacity disposable batteries, or bulky, cumbersome and extremely expensive rechargeable batteries.
So why haven’t we smoked an e-cigarette product since the 1960s? For starters, Gilbert’s invention wasn’t fashionable enough to take off when it was invented. On top of that, doctors were just starting to warn about the possible dangers of smoking, so no one was worried enough about the effects of tobacco to start looking for alternatives – especially ones that were relatively new and pest-infested.
Some of these mistakes and a lack of understanding of why e-cigarettes were a good alternative led to Gilbert’s invention being forgotten for another 40 years, as if it were the first foray into Vapes products.
HonLik – A New Breakthrough in Electronic Cigarettes
By 2003, the dangers of smoking were widely publicized and many families spoke about the effects of smoking. HonLik’s family was one of them. HonLik, a pharmacist from China, was a smoker himself and decided that he needed to find a better alternative to smoking after his father died of lung cancer.
His experiment involved finding a liquid to replicate the sensation of inhaling tobacco smoke – something that was crucial to the success of e-cigarettes. Propylene glycol was inadvertently found to give a tight feeling, and this liquid is still one of the key ingredients in Vapes today. Another important component was the advances that another 40 years brought to batteries. Eventually, Lik obtained lithium batteries that could provide hours of runtime and were much lower in weight and cost.
This produced an electronic cigarette, which has a lithium battery inserted into a tube. The energy generated by this battery atomized the liquid nicotine solution and propylene glycol, laying the foundation for the modern e-cigarette technology we use today.
Some of these earliest e-cigarettes were designed to provide an experience very similar to that of actual smoking. They were similar in size and shape to what one would expect from a cigar and were called ruyi (which means “like smoking” in Chinese).
The invention of the Lik was commercialized and hit the shelves in 2004, and it wasn’t until later in 2006 and 2007 when it entered the European and U.S. markets that it really started to gain traction.
When did e-cigarettes become popular?
The earliest Vapes, affectionately known as “cig-a-likes,” became popular in the late 2000s and jumped from the Chinese market to the U.S. and European markets in 2007. the invention of the Lik would push other inventors to try to lose the look and feel of Vapes, just like real cigarettes, until the user took a puff and the light went on. right down to the glowing tip that lights up when the user takes a puff.
From the introduction of the modern e-cigarette in 2007 to the early 2010s, more modifications were made to the original e-cigarette. These included the vape pen, a more reliable version.
In 2011, the estimated number of Vapes users worldwide was 7 million. By 2014, that number had surged to 25 million, by which time the word “vape” had been added to the Oxford English Dictionary and had even become the word of the year.
When was the disposable Vapes invented?
Hanley’s 2004 e-cigarette is considered one of the first disposable Vapes. He created a product that allowed everyone to consume nicotine without burning it and still have a realistic experience.
Using propylene glycol, Lik approximates the sensation of smoking without burning. This liquid solution is free of the toxic foreign chemicals found in cigarette products and produces a heated vapor that points the way to modern disposable and reusable Vapes.
So why are disposable e-cigarettes so this popular with everyone?
Simple and Convenient
Disposable Vapes are very popular because of their ready-to-use convenience. Buying a carton of them means you can have an instant cigarette ready for you immediately, without causing a mess or fuss. There is no need for a lighter and, more importantly, no a priori knowledge is required to get started. This makes them perfect for new Vapes users who are interested in Vapes but aren’t sure where to start.
It also makes them a great option for most people who don’t mind the extra features that come with a reusable Vapes. Rather than learning how to use cartridges and making sure you always have oil and juice on hand, disposable Vapes offer you a straightforward and easy way to Vapes anytime, anywhere.
Tasting
Proponents of disposable Vapes claim that they taste better than reusable e-cigarettes. This is mainly due to the fact that the cotton wicks inside disposable Vapes are more saturated with flavor than regular cartridges. On top of that, because they are pre-filled, the wicks are well soaked and sometimes stored for months. The burnt flavor and the extra time commitment of soaking the wicks can be effectively avoided. This not only means that you can save time, but also provide a better taste experience.
Variety
As the popularity and technology of disposable Vapes continues to expand, the number of brands specializing in these types of Vapes has exploded. Each brand offers a distinctly different experience, allowing consumers to narrow down exactly what they want from a disposable Vapes in terms of flavor, smoothness and added value.
Each brand also offers a wide range of flavors. While some stick to the regular and classic flavors, others have expanded to include really wild and fresh flavors that still work in some way. Buying disposables allows you to hedge your bets so that you can try them without having to commit to something you might not like, rather than committing to a large number of these flavors.
The benefits of disposable Vapes convenience also come in the form of variety. Disposables are the perfect way to try different brands and flavors. As opposed to reusable e-cigarettes, where many brands only make their flavors compatible with their own devices, disposable e-cigarettes don’t need to be compatible with any other devices. This provides the perfect way to shop around until you find the taste and experience you want.
Moving out of the past and into the future
E-cigarettes may have been around in one form or another since 1927, but they have continued to expand their reach and use. From the very first patents to the modifications that have skyrocketed since their biggest breakthrough in 2003, vapes have made light years of progress. With a history as long as this, vapes are sure to see more and more innovative developments.
