Exploring the History of Vaping

For thousands of years, people have been enjoying the subtle rush that smoking tobacco leaves, thereby ingesting nicotine, can provide. But it wasn't until about 220 years ago that doctors started realizing how harmful smoking can be. Dr. Benjamin Rush was one of the first to point this out, in 1798, calling smoking "offensive" and "a-moral, while also suggesting, correctly, that it can prompt "incurable diseases" and cancers. Ever since, inventors have been on a quest to find new ways to get a satisfying nicotine high, without the stinky cigarettes. Here's a look at how vaping came to be, and where the industry's steam might be headed next.

The First Vaporizers

The first vaporizer was introduced in April 1963, when Herbert Gilbert filed for a patent on the ‘smokeless non-tobacco cigarette’. According to Herbert, it was obvious that traditional smoking wasn’t good for one’s health. In response, he decided to create a smoking alternative where you didn’t need to burn anything in order to inhale. However, despite e-cigarettes emerging as an alternative to cigarettes, in the 1960s cigarettes had not lost any of their affinity with the public and doctors actually supported their use within the wider community. Unfortunately, the patent on the smokeless cigarette would expire before any vaporizers could be made. For many years, vaping remained in its infancy.

It would take until 2003 before a new lease of life was given to vaping, as a Chinese Doctor named Hon Lik developed the first “analog cigarettes”. These convenient e-cigarettes went into production in 2004 and vaping became much more widely accessible.

However, Hon Lik’s innovation was just the beginning. The next wave of innovation came in 2006, with the Cartomizer that would consolidate the atomizer and flavor cartridge into one single piece. The inventors, working under the company XL Distributors, opted for a simple resistance wire-heating element wrapped in cotton to be used in their products. Their innovation of resistance wiring would prove to be vital for the further progression of e-cigarettes.     

NextGen Vaping

In 2011, as vaping became much more prominent, the standard of e-cigarettes produced was becoming much higher. As e-cigarettes became much more efficient with regards to electricity, dual coils became introduced to give much higher quality vapor for the user. With power output and coil technology advancing, everything got bigger, better and slicker.

E-Cigarette Typhoon

This evolution wasn’t limited to the production lines either. By 2013 the market had grown astronomically in the DIY vaping sector, with growth in very knowledgeable consumers in the hobbyist scene. As a consequence, the standard and versatility of vaping products and e-cigarettes improved dramatically.

Vaping Coil

For enthusiasts, RDA’s (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizers) were the equipment of choice, due to the fact that they allowed a lot of different sub-ohm setups. Enthusiasts could build according to their own tastes. By 2014 enthusiasts could buy triple, quad, sextuple and Octo-Coils as the market hit new heights in its excess.

E-Cigarettes Today

E-Cigarettes came from humble beginnings, from the first patent that Herbert Guilbert put forward, to the rapid growth that would occur in the 21st-century market. But vaping was initially driven by its culture rather than its industry. As the industry grew, the demand was always there for higher performance equipment with options for customization and additional accessories. They were then manufactured and sold to a larger market.

Today we take for granted the sheer variety that the market has to offer. There are all kinds of configuration options for new and experienced users alike. The diversity of the market has a lot to owe to the active and original subculture and the expectations that users placed on future vaping products.

Vaping can seem overwhelming at first. Especially when compared to the age-old method of holding a flame to an unlit cigarette. But vaping doesn’t need to be an irksome experience that leaves you reaching for the nearest cigarette. For new buyers, more technology is coming out by the day to help. Various brands who offer ‘ciga-likes’ and all-in-one box sets that require no experience in order to use.

For those curious about vaping, some of the best e-cigs and starter kits on the market today are shown below:

1. My Von Erl Starter Kit – great for beginners
2. Aspire Pockex Pocket AIO – popular “pen-style” device for experienced beginners
3. Smok Brit One Mini – simple, compact and punchy device for regular vapers
4. Joyetech Ego AIO Box – stylish, compact and variable wattage for more control

With these starter kits, you can hit the ground running and start experimenting with the flavors you like. All you’ll need to do is open the box and start vaping.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of vaping from its conceptual beginnings to its current status as a popular alternative to traditional smoking is a testament to human ingenuity and the ongoing quest for healthier lifestyle choices. From Herbert Gilbert's pioneering smokeless cigarette to the sophisticated devices we see today, vaping technology has evolved significantly. This evolution is driven by both technological advancements and a vibrant community of enthusiasts who continuously push the boundaries of what is possible. As we look to the future, the vaping industry shows no signs of slowing down, with innovations aimed at enhancing user experience and safety. For those new to vaping or considering making the switch, the array of starter kits and devices available today offers a promising entry point into a world where flavor and choice meet the desire for a smoke-free life.