Even though vaping is an activity that has only become popularised in recent years, it can be dated back to the 1920s. E-cigarettes have become more effective and efficient in the past few years by constantly improving vaping technology. E-cigarettes have been one of the most significant discoveries in the history of the tobacco industry and potential health issues that arise from it.
But let us dive right in and see where it all started…
1927: The First Mention Of A Vaporizer
The first documentation of an e-cigarette was done by Joseph Robinson, which he called the “Mechanical Butane Ignition Vaporizer”. He filed his idea for a vaporizer that would be used to inhale the vapour of medicinal compounds in 1927, and it was accepted in 1930. However, there is no record of this device being commercialised or if a prototype was ever created to demonstrate its capabilities.
It is speculated that there are possibly two reasons for this. Either it was because the technology was not advanced enough to produce this device, or he ran out of money before being able to start production.
1963: The Smokeless Non-Tobacco Cigarette
Nearly four decades later, Herbert A. Gilbert designed a device that closely resembles the e-cigarettes we use today. It is because of this that he is generally credited as the founder of the first e-cigarette. He filed his patent documents in 1963, and it was accepted in 1965. Unlike Joseph Robinson, Gilbert, was able to create a prototype, however, was unable to get his product commercialised.
The potential for his product to become commercialised was never really high, as the 1960s was a prime period for the tobacco industry. Furthermore, the design of this device was also not fashionable enough to fit with the aesthetics of the time, but his ideas definitely made a mark in history.
1979: The “Non-Electric” E-Cigarette
Trying to build on the work done by Herbert A. Gilbert, Phil Ray, working together with Norman Jacobson, started working on a device which, unlike cigarettes, would not release ”smoke” and does not contain any nicotine. This device also resembled the designs of e-cigarettes we see today, but used different mechanics to function. The technique that was used to make this device function was by placing a filter inside the device which was soaked in nicotine. When a person inhaled from the device, the nicotine would evaporate and release nicotine vapour.
This was the first commercialised variation of an e-cigarette, even if they did not function with the help of electrical components. After the device was launched, Ray and Jacobson confirmed that they knew of the many faults that the product had and that it was not a promising project to continue with. Their research did however contribute to the mainstream term “vape” in the vaping industry.
1980 – 2000: The Experimental Phase
There were various experiments done with the concept of “vaporizers” by many people between 1980 and 2000. Here are some honourable mentions:
- Jed Rose and Frederique Behm: They were the inventors of the nicotine patch to help smokers stop smoking. They also experimented with a concept to create a cigarette-like device which would deliver nicotine to the user. This was called a “distilled smoker” but was not commercialised after a prototype was made.
- Eagle Bill Amato: A Native American healer created a device called the Eagle Bill’s Shake and Vape Pipe. It was created to be a portable vaporizer for cannabis.
- Marcus Storz: Storz is one of the founders of Storz and Bickel, and he invented the tabletop vaporizer, called Volcano. This device, however, is not used to vape nicotine, instead it is used to vape dry herbs.
2003: Modern E-Cigarettes
Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, was a heavy smoker who smoked up to three packs a day. After his father died of lung cancer, he was determined to develop an alternative to smoking cigarettes. He wanted to use vapour to simulate the smoke of a cigarette to help him quit smoking.
In his design, he used a substance called propylene glycol, which is a common food additive and a base ingredient for the e-liquids we use today. This was used to create a satisfying vapour. Unlike the inventors before him, he had an advantage being affordable, small, and high-capacity batteries. He used lithium-ion batteries to ensure his device would run for hours at a time.
His device was originally intended to employ an ultrasonic emitter to ensure that a pressurised liquid would turn into a mist of small droplets due to high-frequency vibrations. However, when his device was produced and released in 2004, he did not use this method. Instead, he created vapour using an atomizer with a heated coil.
Since Lik developed the first successful and fully functional e-cigarette, which is the blueprint for the devices we have today, there have been several additions to his idea that have brought about the evolution of vaping devices. These advancements and additions to traditional vaping devices are classified into four categories:
- The first generation
- The second generation
- The third generation
- The fourth generation
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The First Generation
These e-cigarettes are called cigalikes because they have a similar look to traditional cigarettes. They have four components namely: battery, atomizer, e-liquid and occasionally an LED light at the one end of the device.
These devices do not have any buttons or dials and are very simple to use by just inhaling them through the mouthpiece to get them to heat up. After you have used this device, you can dispose of it and purchase a new one.
The Second Generation
Vape pens were the second generation to the cigalikes, and they were a great success. They were a bit larger and had much longer battery life. They also include a button which must be pressed for the device to heat up.
Generally, people who are new to vaping often use vape pens to have the experience of vaping. Vape pens allow them to experience a different taste by trying different e-liquids, which was not possible with the first generation e-cigarettes. The components of a vape pen include a battery, power button, mouthpiece, cartridge and mouthpiece.
Some popular vape pens today include:
Third Generation
The vaping industry decided to create even more powerful devices called mods, which are short for modifications. They come in many different designs, patterns and colours which you can choose from according to your liking. They can be hard to identify because they come in so many shapes and sizes. There are two types of mods available:
- Mechanical mods: These mods are simple with no electronic circuit. They usually feature components such as a battery, connector and fire button. When properly maintained, these devices can produce a lot of flavour. They are preferred by experienced vapers who understand how to maintain these devices.
- Regulated mods: These mods are more complex than mechanical mods, because you are able to change the wattage and voltage of the output. They can also include electrical resistance metres and safety features.
Some popular mods include:
Fourth Generation
The latest generation of devices is pod vaping devices. They are devices that are used for MTL (mouth to lung) vaping and make use of salt nic juices. They are very close to a cigalike in terms of battery life, and their structure is very close to that of a traditional cigarette. Furthermore, they are small and easy to carry around in your pocket. When using a pod device, you will have both options to push a button or draw from the device for it to work.
Popular pods are as follows:
How Has Vaping Changed The World Of Today?
The main reason why so many people invested their time in designing an e-cigarette is that they were smokers themselves and were looking for an alternative to smoking cigarettes. Since 2010, the popularity of vaping has skyrocketed, and vape makers have taken notice. They began investigating strategies to enhance current vaping technology, and the industry has been thriving ever since.
In 2018, the South African e-cigarette market was valued at $20.7 million (R373 759 614), and it is expected to grow at an annual rate of 18.6% from 2019 to 2024. The vaping industry in South Africa has a bright future, and many ex-smokers are switching to vaping, which is good for the industry. Vaping has the potential to create fewer health issues, especially for people transitioning from having high-nicotine cigarettes to using e-cigarettes with little to no nicotine content.
According to statistics, the vaping industry will be worth $50 million by 2025. This is because industry leaders are always exploring strategies to improve your vaping experience and create new ways for you to enjoy vaping.
