While e-cigarettes are now a common vaping device seen every day in the hands of thousands of consumers around the world, they owe this to two people: Hon Lik and Herbert A. Gilbert. Here's why!
Who is the inventor who invented the e-cigarette?
The first inventor—or perhaps even the pioneer—of the electronic cigarette is Hon Lik, a former Chinese engineer and pharmacist.
He is, in fact, considered by many enthusiasts to be the father of this object, but this still raises a question: Is that really the case?
Others claim that it was actually Herbert A. Gilbert. Let’s find out more about this invention and try to determine which of the two invented the e-cigarette.
Although Herbert A. Gilbert He had the idea of filing a patent in the state of Pennsylvania in 1963 for a “smokeless cigarette that contains no tobacco,” but he did not market it.
It was only then that 40 years later that Hon Lik takes up the torch and, in turn, files a patent for a “smokeless cigarette capable of replacing tobacco.”
At the time of its release, this one is gaining ground in the U.S. and European markets and enjoying enormous success.
So? Who invented the e-cigarette?
Did Hon Lik invent the e-cigarette?
The idea for the e-cigarette first came to Hon Lik as he was desperately trying to quit smoking. To fight his addiction, He analyzes his reactions related to his tobacco use and notes the times when peaks of nicotine are the most common. He then came up with the idea of looking for an alternative that would allow him to experience the effects of nicotine without smoking.
Although he is considered to be the one who invented the e-cigarette, because the latter is the one which launched it in 2005. It is currently estimated that more than 12 million people in France are now followers of this movement.
Today, more than just a gadget, the e-cigarette is now considered one of the leading solutions for Sustainable and effective smoking cessation.
1963: What became of Herbert A. Gilbert's project?
We now know that Hon Lik is the person responsible for bringing the e-cigarette to market. However, what should we make of the studies conducted by Herbert A. Gilbert and his inventions? Let’s not forget, after all, that this American had filed a patent in 1963 for a spray bottle for nicotine e-liquid !
The principle is simple, and we're familiar with it: replacing traditional cigarettes with tobacco with a liquid which doesn't contain any…
His idea didn't just come out of nowhere. It emerged at a time when Herbert A. Gilbert decided to put an end to the toxicity of cigarettes. He then presents an object depicted as a long, thin tube, at the end of which we can find a mouthpiece… Does that remind you of anything?
But that's not all! The patent filed by the latter—who is surely the inventor of the e-cigarette—states that the device in question is intended to replace “tobacco and paper with heated, flavored air.”
Some manufacturers approached Herbert A. Gilbert, hoping to bring their project to life. But then why was it never released?
Let's not forget that the 1960s saw heavy smoking and that, paradoxically, the pharmaceutical and tobacco industries saw nothing positive in this project… He then faced numerous acts of retaliation and smear campaigns that prevented him from seeing it through.
Today, Herbert A. Gilbert, 87, continues to claim that his invention has suffered as a result of all its industries. So Hon Lik must have had better luck on his side of the globe…
Who do you think invented the e-cigarette?