BIC® lighters are world leaders in their market, with 5 million sold every day.

After establishing itself as the world’s largest ballpoint pen maker, Marcel BICH went on to capture another market… the lighter market. In 1971, BIC acquired control of FLAMINAIRE, a French company that manufactured traditional lighters, and in 1973 launched the first BIC® Lighter with an adjustable flame.

With its quality and reliability and its user-friendly shape, the BIC® Lighter quickly became a success.

The range of lighters expanded with the introduction of the BIC® Mini in 1985, the decorative fixed flame lighter in 1990, the Electronic lighter in 1991 and the electronic Mini lighter in 1998. Since 1998, BIC has developed a range of utility lighters, including BIC® Megalighter and Surestart® Candle Lighter. BIC provides a wide range of lighters for the specific needs of consumers. Lighters are available in three sizes (maxi, slim and mini), two systems of ignition (classic/standard and electronic), and a wide variety of colors.

In 2005, the BIC® Maxi lighter enters the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art of New York (MOMA), at the Department of Architecture and Design.