Walt Disney Productions began using the Zippo for advertising in the early 1970's only to suspend its association with smoking-related items in the mid-1980's
The images of Mickey andMinnie on these Zippos from 1970 and 1971 were most likely engraved in Asia. Unlike the other Zippos seen on this page, these Disney characters are unauthorized by Walt Disney. There are many variants of these Zippos, generally distinguishable by the vertical "Mickey"
This Zippo look-alike lighter has the "Walter Lantz" logo-type and "Japan" engraved on the bottom and is highly valued by Zippo collectors
The 1952-53 Zippo above with Woody Woodpecker is one of only two test models made for Walter Lantz
Woody Woodpecker is the animated cartoon character which first appeared in short films in movie theaters in the 1940's. As the story goes, Walter Lantz, who was the producer of the cartoons with the anthropomorphic acorn woodpecker, wanted to promote Woody on Zippo lighters. Zippo Mfg. Co. therefore produced a couple of test samples for Mr. Lantz' approval. While apparently satisfied with the design, Mr. Lantz requested that his own name be engraved on the bottom of the lighter. Zippo Mfg. Co refused to do so which we can presume was due to George Blaisdell's strong desire to maintain Zippo's brand integrity. As a result, a company in Japan wound up producing lighters identical to Zippo's samples except with the name of "Walter Lantz" engraved on the bottoms, reportedly in a run of 500. Interestingly, Zippo's version had the copyright notice "WL" engraved at Woody's feet which apparently was considered redundant on the Japanese version
These five Zippos are from 1982 and depict Mighty Mouse flying, golfing, skateboarding and water skiing. The two on brass are prototypes. First produced by Terrytoons, Mighty Mouse first appeared in 1942 as Super Mouse. He has similar powers like Superman and can fly, is incredibly strong and, has X-Ray vision. The cartoon's theme always had Mighty Mouse saving the day. He became a favorite cartoon character on television during the 1950s with reruns continuing through the 1980s
1954-55 Zippo for Warner Brothers 25th Anniversary with a graphic of Bugs Bunny, a cocky, wisecracking, good-hearted hare who battled Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and other slapstick opponents. It is also engraved with the name of Norman H. Moray who was involved in the production of Loney Tunes' Rocket Squad featuring Daffy Duck and Porky Pig