Vaping 101: A Quick History of Vaping

Ever since we started realizing how deadly smoking is, people have been looking for a way to get their nicotine fix without all the health risks.

So it's no wonder that vaping has grown so much in popularity over the last few years. 

But the history of vaping is a lot longer than you might think. Read on to learn more!

The Ancient History of Vaping

While vaping is a relatively modern trend, the basic principles have been used for millennia. 

The ancient Egyptians heated herbs and oils on hot stones and would inhale the vapor for medical, spiritual, or recreational purposes. 

In the 15th century, hookah was developed in India. Unlike conventional pipes, hookah heated the tobacco rather than burning it. The tobacco was usually flavored and mixed with water vapor, much like a modern vape.

Early Vape Pens

If you're trying to figure out who invented the first vape pen, you'll be disappointed to know that there's not really a clear answer to that. 

In 1927, a man named Joseph Robinson filed a patent for what called an "electronic vaporizer." While it looks very similar to a modern vape pen, Robinson never released his device commercially. It's unknown if he ever actually made one.

In 1965, a man named Herbert Gilbert filed his own patent.

He called it a "smokeless non-tobacco cigarette." His device looked very similar to modern vape pens, with features like flavor cartridges and smokeless vapor. His device even used a heating element very similar to modern e-cigs.

However, he failed to commercialize on the device. Manufacturers of the day had no interest in the device, and so the patent expired.

In the late 1970s, a physician named Norman Jacobson and a computer scientist named Phil Ray tried to create a device to vaporize nicotine. They managed to get their device in stores, but ultimately it failed to take off. 

Spread and Popularity

Through the 80s and 90s, several people tried to create and commercialize their own versions of an electronic cigarette.

However, none of them would see mainstream success until Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist. After his father passed away from lung cancer, he was inspired to create an alternative to cigarettes to quit himself.

After he created a successful device, his company Dragonite International commercialized it and introduced it to the market in 2003.

Growing Diversity 

Since 2003, the e-cigarette market has exploded. In the US, the vape industry has doubled in the last four years alone.

With that financial explosion came a huge variety in the types of vape pens. From large, ornate vape pens to small pods, there are now hundreds of vaporizers and e-cigarettes on the market.

Vape On!

Now that you know more about the history of vaping, why not enjoy some for yourself?

Our stock is filled with dozens of enticing vape juices and vape pens. Buy a complete system, get replacement parts, or buy a kit to build your own.

If you aren't picky, why not buy our mystery grab bag?