How did e-cigarettes become popular around the world?

There’s no denying that e-cigarettes have taken over the world. What may have started out as a niche device or a different way of doing things is now widespread across the globe.

But how did it get to this point? The global popularity of e-cigarettes is not an overnight phenomenon. In fact, the devices have been around for nearly a century.

A brief history lesson that dives into the factors that led to the rapid acceleration of e-cigarette success .

A century of innovation

It seems hard to believe, but the first concept of what we now call "electronic cigarettes" began all the way back in 1927. It was a century of innovation that propelled electronic cigarette devices to international fame.

In 1927, Joseph Robinson patented a device that would use electricity to heat tobacco, rather than simply burning it. His idea never achieved commercial success, but his patent introduced the technical possibility.

In the 1960s, Herbert Gilbert filed another patent for a similar product. In fact, it was very similar to the device used today, although not as sophisticated. Gilbert also created a prototype, but again, the idea failed to succeed commercially.

In the late seventies, computer engineer Phil Ray and physician Norman Jacobson created the first commercialized "electronic cigarette." Its name was a bit of a misnomer, as it wasn't an electronic device at all. It worked through the vaporization of nicotine, rather than combustion. Unfortunately, the idea never took off. Instead, Ray is credited with introducing the word "vape."

While the valiant efforts of Robinson, Gilbert, Ray, and Norman were never commercially successful, their contributions laid the foundation for the new millennium and the formation of the modern e-cigarette.

An Inventor's Nightmare and Tragedy

In the early 2000s, people were excited about what the future held, especially when it came to technological advances. Chinese pharmacist Han Li was no exception, but he was driven by more than just optimism.

In 2002, Hon realized that the nicotine patches he was using to get off his 2-3 packs a day cigarettes were giving him nightmares. Shortly thereafter, he first began working on a device that would revolutionize the world of nicotine consumption.

Unfortunately, in 2004, tragedy struck. Han's father died of lung cancer. Tragedy only pushed him further. He wanted to create a device that made nicotine use cleaner and smoother, and he did it.

The earliest designs were bulky and difficult to use. They were a far cry from the sleek designs vape users are used to now, and they often required constant maintenance to keep running. It was less than ideal. Still, Lik invented something that others had failed to do, inspiring a new generation of subsequent inventions.

Power in the hands of consumers

The idea of a compact electronic device that could heat tobacco instead of burning it fascinates many people. For the sake of convenience, it is understandable to carry around a single device instead of a whole pack. However, before this idea could take off, innovation had to take place.

Surprisingly, many of these innovations started in the hands of consumers. People began to customize their devices using power tool batteries, which provided a bigger nicotine hit. These consumer innovations are the origin of the term “mods.” Customers were modifying the devices they purchased because they were not satisfied with what was already on the market.

Lasting Legacy

Sadly, these modified devices will not last, but they leave a lasting legacy that will shape the new era of e-cigarettes.

In the early days of vaping, most devices consisted of just a battery and a heating coil. You don’t need a master’s degree in electronics to understand why pairing any old battery with a heating coil isn’t the best idea. Inefficient design with improper battery use is largely the origin of e-cigarettes’ reputation for “accidental explosions.”

Until manufacturers start to include more complex circuitry in their devices, DIY modding is unlikely to fade. Chinese manufacturers pioneered these early efforts, mass-producing regulated mods that didn’t require much addition to achieve the desired effect.

Then the real tipping point in popularity came: the introduction of e-cigarettes .

Late Bloomer

Nearly a decade after Lik first released his invention to the world, it seemed like the era of the vape was coming to an end. However, in the early 2010s, the advent of the e-cigarette changed everything . We can largely attribute the global popularity of e-cigarettes to the introduction of the vape pen. Its size and design immediately appealed to many people, and the numbers speak for themselves.

From 2011 to 2018, the estimated number of e-cigarette users soared to more than 34 million . This remarkable boom, recognized internationally, has solidified e-cigarettes as an accepted alternative to consuming nicotine. It’s fast, easy to use, compact, and it looks good, too.

Since then, there has been tremendous innovation. The market has exploded as new members of the e-cigarette family have emerged, winning over new fans around the world. Whether you’re a casual beginner or a seasoned veteran, there’s an e-cigarette for everyone, and this market shows no signs of slowing down.

Why are e-cigarettes still so popular?

A big factor in the continued success of the e-cigarette industry is the level of customization available.

First, there are different categories of e-cigarettes to choose from (pens, mods, pods, etc.). Not to mention, there are huge differences between those categories as well. There are a wealth of flavors to suit every taste, from fruity to minty and everything in between. Basically, vaping has its customer base covered .

This customization goes far beyond simple flavor and design, too. Many e-cigarette devices allow users to have complete control over how much they inhale at any given point.

This level of consumer choice is unheard of in any other form of nicotine inhalation and allows users to consume only what they like and nothing more. This is a huge benefit for many people and ultimately gives you more autonomy over what goes into your body.

Where will vaping go?

The future of e-cigarettes is open to more innovation, and the industry shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. From humble beginnings to the global behemoth it is today, whatever the future of the vape holds, you can be sure we’re excited to see how it unfolds.