In the 1940s, George bought buildings that could create a factory that could make the Zippo lighter.
Blaisdell quit school in grade 5, leading his father to send the inventor to a military academy.
Blaisdell attended the academy until his sudden dismissal three years later.
[citation needed] George died on October 4, 1978, in Miami Beach, Florida at the age of 83.
After his death, his daughters Sarah B. Dorn and Harriet B. Wick took control of the company.