Vaping Technology: A Short History

Over the course of the past several years, vaping technology has changed how people are smoking. New and innovative products are being designed and developed every day and in just a short period of time vaping has taken over the way that people view smoking. Once you've learned a bit more about vaping, you can understand how things have changed course.

In 1963 the first e-cig was developed by Herbert A. Gilbert. Herbert patented a device and labeled it as a "smokeless non-tobacco cigarette". During the 1960s smoking was very acceptable and even allowed in businesses, classrooms, airplanes, hospitals and more. As of this point in time, there was little evidence that cigarette smoking was bad for you and it was considered a very acceptable practice. Herbert, however, recognized that there wasn't an alternative and he capitalized on it. Unfortunately, his invention wasn't commercialized and it didn't catch on.

In fact, it would be a full 40 years before the next round of e-cigs were reinvented. In 2003, Hon Lik, a pharmacist in China, created his own version of the e-cig. Mourning the loss of his father, who had died of lung cancer, he designed an e-cig that would help to reduce the dangers of smoking. Using a piezoelectric ultrasound emitting element he vaporized a liquid that contained nicotine that was diluted into a propylene glycol solution. He suggested using this propylene glycol to dilute the nicotine and then placed it into disposable cartridges that would serve as a reservoir and mouthpiece for the e-cig.

[caption id="attachment_201148" align="alignleft" width="180"] Hon Lik[/caption]

Working for Golden Dragon Holdings, later changing their name to Ruyan, Hon Lik designed the next wave of e-cigs that would hit the nation. Ruyan translated means "resembling smoking". He then introduced his design to China as a smoking cessation or alternative product. Today, China is still the largest manufacturer of e-cigs.

Vaporizers were originally a three part mechanism that heated up the e-liquid. Then a vaping battery and atomizer, as well as, a cartridge were required to create the vapor that was inhaled. In 2006, the cartomizer was invented by two British entrepreneurs, Tariq and Umer Sheikh. They worked for XL distributors. The combination atomizer and cartridge would make it much easier to use the vaping method. In 2007 it was launched in the UK under the Gamucci brand and today is one of the top brands.

Only after this did the e-cig become popular in the UK. With products and technology constantly in flux, there are new and innovative designs hitting the market almost daily. Within a short time, e-liquid was founded and made this one of the top markets in the United States.

When International companies recognized that the e-cigs could overtake the traditional cigarette market, many decided that it was time to join the vaping world. To keep their edge in the market they would all switch to vaping in lieu of smoking. The very first tobacco company that acquired vaping company stock was Lorillard Inc. They bought Blu in the year 2012. During February of 2014, Altria Group Inc climbed on board and designed Green Smoke for a mere $110 million dollars. At this point, MarkTen and Reynolds recognized the need to join the new trend and joined in as well.