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S. T. Dupont
In 1872 Simon Tissot-Dupont was just 25 when he founded the company for manufacturing a luxury line of leather goods.
He was an enterprising and passionate young man who was determined to succeed in Paris. He recruited several talented craftsmen and established a prestigious leather goods workshop. He was becoming rapidly successfull among Parisian high society. Soon, he became the official supplier to the Magasins du Louvre, which was a reference to the luxury accessories at the time.
In the beginning of the roaring '20s S.T. Dupont handed the company to his sons Lucien and Andre who started to innovate: they created sumptuous travel cases, produced as one-of-a-kind pieces.
In their salons on Rue Dieu in Paris the Dupont brothers recieved the cream of international society including the Maharajah of Patalia who used to make sumptuous gifts to his numerous wives. One time he expressed the wish to have a small case with an integral lighter. This became S.T.Dupont's first lighter.
The Faverges laboratoire where the factory was located did not waste time – the lighter became part of their unique creations.
Given the scarcity of raw materials and customers at the beginning of World War II, the production had to change. |
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The leather-goods maker applied his gold-smith expertise and in 1941 invented the first pocket petrol lighter made of aluminium. In 1952 the patented, adjustable, gas lighter was a spectecular success. The Ligne 1 model, with a thousand and one variations since its creation, is still a best seller.
In the 1960's the lighter was a symbol of status and good taste. It was recognizable from the noise it made, the famous metallic „cling“, a unique sound, a sign of recognition among the elite and initiated. The Brand took its place among the great names of the French luxury market and the lighter become its icon.
In 1977 Dupont launches a new model the Ligne 2 which is the most popular lighter worldwide.
The prosperous 1980's with the rising amount of „career women“ required a slim, feminin style. The compact and light „Ligne D“ become a permanent companion to the modern woman.
This trend continued with the „Gatsby“, released in 1989, which shows the Dupont lettering for the first time on the small rectangular design with the rounded edges.
In 2007 the company celebrated its 135th anniversary. 135 years of expertise and glamour.
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