The humble Bic lighter

As my pal Thad put it a few years ago:

“The humble Bic lighter is in fact the pinnacle of human technical achievement and fairly close to a techno–religious talisman. In a completely integrated package, every significant detail of human evolution (the opposable thumb, mastery of fire, and control of various materials) is embodied. Plus it fits nicely in the pocket and comes in a rainbow of pretty colors.”

The humble Bic lighter really is an amazing thing, yet I wonder how few ever really stop to consider what a great little item it really is.

Most never even give them a second thought. And yet up until a relatively short time ago, and to be honest there are still heaps of places in the world where this is so, if you walk into a village with a Bic lighter in your hand, and flick it, people would fall to their knees and worship you like a god. “He has magic, fire appears from his hand!” And yet spoiled westerners don’t even realize what a superb little object it really is. The ability to have fire appear at, well the flick of a Bic, is a truly awesome thing. Think about that next time you hold one in your hand. They truly are a techno–religious talisman.

I usually brought along lots of Bic lighters when travelling in really isolated and remote parts of the world. They made great trade items, and were also just a good way to make friends. They took up very little room, didn’t weigh a whole lot, and were genuinely useful to the people you gave them to. Plus until the supply ran out, I always knew I had one or two somewhere to back up the one in my pocket.

And even when the butane runs out, the striker will still continue to spark. Even without the actual flame it can still start a fire.

The one thing that drives me batty about Bic are the various child proof safety features. (At least here in politically correct Canada.) My attitude is that when you buy a lighter you’re buying into an adult level of responsibility. The worst are the little doodads you have to push in and up. Bics here have a little metal strip that fortunately the screw drivers and pliers on a Leatherman make short work of. But speaking of an adult level of responsibility, make sure you wear safety glasses or point it well away from you, and be aware of who and what is around you when you do take it off. That little sucker has a tendency to fly quite a ways. The first time I did I wasn’t thinking, and almost got it in my eye. D’oh!