It can be hard to imagine a world now without vaping, with people of all ages enjoying this more socially acceptable alternative to smoking. However, have you ever wondered how vaping came about or how it has evolved over the years?
Explore the exciting world of vape development in the below timeline. Plus, find out what the future holds for the vape industry, both for consumers and manufacturers.
When was vaping invented?
It is thought that vaping first came about in the 1930s, as this was when reference to e-cigarettes was first documented. However, there is nothing to suggest that vapes were commercially manufactured at this time, meaning they were not available for sale.
It is generally thought that a man named Herbert A Gilbert was the inventor of the first e-cigarette device in the 1960s, but again, this was not commercialized. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the first e-cigarette device was commercialized, and surprisingly, it was not a success unlike the current vaping industry, which is awash with successful vape products such as the ones offered by OK Vape.
What happened next?
In the 1990s, numerous patents for nicotine inhaler devices were filed both by existing tobacco companies and individual inventors. Most relied on evaporation or physical propulsion, but there were a few that were more similar to the e-cigarettes we know today.
One chemical-reaction-based product, which was developed in the 90s, is still in the pipeline today. Known as the “heat-not-burn” device, this is somewhere between a nicotine inhaler and a combusted cigarette.
When did vaping become commercially successful?
It wasn’t until 2003 that the first commercially successful e-cigarette was created, which was achieved by a man named Hon Lik in Beijing, China. A pharmacist, inventor, and smoker, Hon Lik reportedly created the device after his father, who was a heavy smoker, died of lung cancer.
When was vaping first introduced in the United States?
Electronic cigarettes were first introduced in the United States in 2006. Since then, when they were merely nicotine replacement systems, vape products have elevated to become highly customized devices that can be enjoyed by both ex-smokers and non-smokers.
It is worth knowing that the laws regulating the use of electronic cigarettes in the United States vary from one state to the next. Some states prohibit vaping in every location where smoking is prohibited, whereas others have much more lenient laws around vaping.
What is the future of vaping?
So, what is the future of vaping? On the one hand, you have a plethora of new technologies that are making vape products more innovative and customizable than ever before, which is only going to make the demand for electronic cigarettes even greater. However, on the other hand, you have stricter regulations coming into place that are sure to challenge both manufacturers and consumers alike.
Whether you are a business that sells vapes or a consumer who buys them, the next few years are going to be an eventful time, that’s for sure!
