All successful projects have to start somewhere, and no matter where you are in that process, a little inspiration can go a long way. That’s why we’ve decided to write a short post detailing how the vape devices we know and love became so popular and where it all began.
It wasn’t always plain sailing for vape devices, and it took a while before the technology behind them was sophisticated enough to warrant their current popularity. Let’s take a look back through history and see how vapes became what they are today!
It Started Almost a Century Ago
Though it might seem hard to believe, the very first iteration of the vape was created almost a century ago. The first documented reference to electronic cigarettes was in 1927, when Joseph Robinson, a citizen of New York, filed a patent.
Although Robinson couldn’t have possibly imagined what his patent would lead to (such as the fantastic range at ca.wakavaping.com), he got the ball rolling for some incredible developments.
Unfortunately, Robinson couldn’t get his idea off the ground by himself. It would take some further tweaking in years to come.
Further Developments
It wasn’t until 1963, decades after Robninson’s original patent, that Henry A. Gilbert came up with the idea of an electronic cigarette that could be used to replace traditional cigarettes.
Using a battery-powered heat source, Gilbert was successful in creating the very first electrical cigarette. Unfortunately, the idea didn’t catch on. Most cigarette smokers were perfectly happy with traditional cigarettes, and the new invention didn’t persuade them.
New Century, New Ideas
Finally, in 2001, a Chinese Pharmacist called Hon Lik created the final device that would ultimately lead to the enormously popular product we know today. Fuelled by the desire to replace cigarettes after his father passed from lung cancer, Hon Lik began working on a device that replicated the feeling of inhaling smoke.
His work started by experimenting with vaporization systems, trying different substances to see which vaporized in a similar fashion to smoke. In a groundbreaking conclusion, Hon Lik discovered that propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine were perfect for this purpose. This combination is the same that’s used throughout vaping products across the world to this day.
Armed with this new knowledge, Hon Lik released his product into the Chinese market in 2004 before releasing it in the US and Europe in 2006. The rest is history!
From Conception to Conclusion, Project Management Is Key
There are many lessons to take away from the history of the vape device. Perhaps the most important is the clear indication that even if you have a great idea, like both Joseph Robinson and Henry A. Gilbert, it requires proper execution for it to take off. Both of their ideas were similar to Hon Lik’s, but they couldn’t get it off the ground in the same way.
True success requires planning, commitment, and determination. You might have a fantastic idea for a product, business, or project, but you need to know how to implement it.
