The history of electronic cigarettes dates back to the early 20th century. In 1927, Joseph Robinson filed a patent for an "Electric Vaporizer" intended to deliver medicinal vapors. In the 1960s, Herbert Gilbert patented a "smokeless non-tobacco cigarette" that used heated air to mimic smoking. However, it was not until 2000 when Hon Lik invented a modern e-cigarette after dreaming of his father's death from lung cancer from smoking. Hon Lik's e-cigarette design used a heating element to vaporize a flavored liquid containing nicotine. His 2004 patent is considered the first modern e-cigarette, and the industry has grown exponentially since its introduction to Europe in 2006

1. The Real History of
Electronic Cigarettes
1927
Joseph Robinson filed a patent for the first “Electric Vaporizer”.
Here’s an excerpt from the original document:
1927 Cig patent
“My invention relates to vaporizing devices for holding medicinal compounds
which are electrically heated to produce vapors for inhalation, and to provide
a device for individual use which may be freely handled without any possibility
of being burned.”
– Joseph Robinson, May 3, 1927, New York
1930
In 1930, Robinson’s patent was approved and published by the USPTO.
While this device wasn’t invented as a tobacco alternative, its design is
very similar to the more modern e cigs. We think Mr. Robinson deserves
some credit!
1963
In 1963, Herbert A. Gilbert’s patent for a “smokeless non-tobacco cigarette” was
filed in Pennsylvania
Gilbert in 1960s“The present invention relates to a smokeless non-tobacco
cigarette to provide a safe and harmless means for smoking by replacing burning
tobacco with heated, moist, flavored air. Another object is to provide an article of
manufacture resembling a cigarette by which air may be drawn through a porous
substance of a cartridge which has been moistened with a chemically harmless
flavoring preparation, heated by a suitable heating element. A further object is to
suitably raise the temperature of the inhalant mixture, so that it may approximate
that of cigarette smoke. A further object is to insulate the heat source so that the
‘cigarette’ may be held in the fingers without discomfort to the user’s hand.”
1965
In 1965, Gilbert’s patent was officially issued by the USPTO
Gilbert’s invention was even featured in the December 1965 issue of
Popular Mechanics
Gilbert ad 1963
Like modern-day e-cigarettes, these first two inventions combined heat, flavored
liquid, smoke-like vapor, and a cigarette-like gadget.
Between 1965 and 2000, there were several more patents filed for electronic
cigarette-esque products, but none really took off until Hon Lik had a dream in 2000…
2000
Hon Lik “The idea of the electronic cigarettes came to me in a dream in 2000.
Coughing and wheezing, I imagined I was drowning, until suddenly the waters
around me lifted into a fog.” – Hon Lik
2003
Let’s take a trip to China, circa 2003. Hon Lik’s father had just passed
away, having given in to lung cancer. Lik was a heavy smoker just like his
dad, and he wanted to avoid the same fate. So, he translated his dream
of water turning to fog into a revolutionary invention: The Electronic
Cigarette. Hon battery.
2004
In 2004, Hon Lik’s first patent was officially issued by the USPTO, placing the first
modern ecigarette into the market.
“The present invention relates to an electronic atomization cigarette which contains
nicotine without harmful tar. The electronic atomization cigarette includes a shell
and a mouthpiece… The advantages of the present invention include smoking
without tar, significantly reducing the carcinogenic risk. Furthermore, users still feel
as if they are smoking and experiencing the same excitement, and the cigarette is no
need to be lit and is no fire risk.”
Since being issued his first patent in 2004, Hon Lik has filed several more relating
to e cigs.
2006
Electronic cigarettes were first introduced for sale in Europe.
2007-2008
Electronic cigarettes became available in the United States. One of the first American
debuts was at the American Tobacco Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada where the e-cig
won multiple awards.
2009-PRESENT
The e-cig industry continues to grow exponentially, and will have contributed
over $1.7 billion to the economy by the end of 2013. V2 Cigs is one of the
leading e-cig brands, devoting ourselves to maintaining quality, innovation
and transparency. Come visit our website and see what makes V2 Cigs a
leader.
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http://www.v2cigs.com/blog/2013/10/the-real-history-of-electronic-cigarettes/
References:
http://search.uspto.gov/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&affiliate=web-sdmg-uspto.gov&query=electronic+cigarettes&go=Go
http://www.google.com/patents/US1775947
http://www.google.co.in/patents/US1819123
https://www.google.com/patents/US3200819
http://books.google.com/books/about/Popular_Mechanics.html?id=beQDAAAAMBAJ
http://www.google.com/patents/US7832410
http://www.google.com/patents/US20060196518

2. We think of the electronic cigarette as a modern invention. You may be suprised to find out how far
back it really goes.
Electronic Cigarettes