Vintage c1930s LEKTRoLITE Catalytic Flameless Lighter - BakeLite-Made in U.S.A. for Sale

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Vintage c1930s LEKTRoLITE Catalytic Flameless Lighter - BakeLite-Made in U.S.A. For Sale

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Vintage c1930s LEKTRoLITE Catalytic Flameless Lighter - BakeLite-Made in U.S.A.:
$88.00

Vintage c1930s LEKTRoLITE Catalytic Flameless Cigarette Lighter - BakeLite - Made in U.S.A. (A5.6)

Art Deco BakeLite Lighter
Stamped: (Bottom) Trade Mark LEKTRoLITE Corporation U.S. Patents 2.005.4.S-T-9 and Foreign Patents Made in United States of America
Case Material: Some Surface Wear/Scratching - No Dents - Dings on Lid - Manual Lid - (Lighter Functionality Not Tested) - see photos
Dimensions: Approximate 2" height x 1-9/16" width x 1/2" depth
Historical Background:
Lektrolite lighters probably hit their peak in the later half of the 1930s and were selling beyond the mid-1940s. Various ads were produced for them featuring endorsements by Hollywood stars. Lektrolites were produced for our forces in WW2 and shipped overseas.
All Lektrolite lighters are variations of the simple Glo-Point; same mechanism, different case. There is an absorbent material inside the lighter that holds the Lektrolite fuel. Lektrolite fuel was methanol (alcohol) and may be substituted today using the automotive productHeet, which is primarily methanol. The lighter also uses a little platinum as the "lighter mechanism". Platinum is very resistant to corrosion,which is why many Lektrolites may still be useable today. On contact with methyl alcohol vapor the platinum acts as a catalyst to convert the vapor into formaldehyde and, in the process, gets very hot.
For Lektrolites, the lighter is filled with fuel, allowed to "soak in" briefly, the excess poured back into the fuel container (according to the more frugal directions of the day) or simply pored out. When the lighter is closed the tip of a cigarette is put into the small round opening provided. At the same time a button is pushed which opens valves allowing air to flow through the lighter as you draw on the cigarette. This produces a draft over the methanol soaked fibers of the lighter bringing the alcohol vapors in contact with the platinum catalyst. Heat is produced and causes the cigarette tip to light.
Please review all photos, as they are part of the description. (Enlarge for Detail) (Reflections in photos).