Vaping History and How It Began
Posted by Courtney McElligott on Apr 9th 2020
Vaping is everywhere these days. Market research group Euromonitor once projected that tens of millions of adults worldwide would be using vape products by the early 2020s, and the category has only kept growing since.
Those numbers are impressive, but have you ever wondered how it all started? Stick with us as we walk through ten facts about the history of vaping.
1. The Idea Goes Back a Long Way
The concept of vaporizing substances is far older than most people think. While nothing like a modern device, historical records suggest that ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, used hot stones and surfaces to vaporize herbs.
2. The First Vape Patent Was Filed in 1927
In 1927, inventor Joseph Robinson filed a patent for an "electric vaporizer." The product never reached the market, and it is not clear whether a working prototype was ever built.
3. Herbert A. Gilbert and the "Modern" Vape (1963)
It wasn't until 1963 that Herbert A. Gilbert revisited the idea. His version was described as a "smokeless, non-tobacco cigarette." He filed for a patent in 1965 and built prototypes, but the device never found commercial success.
According to Gilbert, the companies that could have produced a commercial version chose to wait for his patent to expire rather than license it from him. There is no firm proof either way, but Gilbert is widely credited as the "father of the modern vape."
4. The First Commercially Successful E-Cigarette (2003)
Several attempts came and went from the 1970s through the 1990s without gaining traction. That changed with Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik. He filed his patent in 2003, and his "Ruyan" device reached the Chinese market shortly afterward. It became the first commercially successful electronic cigarette and the blueprint for the products that followed.
5. The E-Cigarette Reached America in 2007
Electronic cigarettes were introduced in Europe around 2006 before arriving in the United States in 2007. From there, the category grew quickly and an entire vaping subculture began to take shape.
6. Vape Festivals Began in 2010
As enthusiasts embraced "vape culture," events built around the hobby, often called "Vape Fests," started popping up. The first is generally credited to the UK in 2010, and the trend soon crossed the Atlantic, with an early "Vapestock" held in Clearwater Beach, Florida, in 2011.
In the United States, "cloud-chasing" competitions are commonly traced to around 2012. Competitive cloud-chasing continues to grow, with skilled hobbyists appearing everywhere from the U.S. and Canada to as far away as Indonesia.
7. Vape "Mods" Take Off Starting in 2010
Early devices were extremely simple, so as the hobby caught on, users began modifying their hardware for bigger clouds and a more customizable experience. Today, vape mods remain a popular choice among adult enthusiasts.
8. The World's Most Expensive Mod Was Commissioned in 2014
Modern mods go far beyond those early tinkerers. Some collector pieces carry eye-watering price tags, from the roughly $2,500 Gepetto Elite V2 to the Magic Valley Vapors SX350J Dual Mod 18650 at around $109,000.
Even those pale next to the most expensive mod on record: the diamond-encrusted "Sofia" from Shisha Sticks. It was reportedly commissioned in 2014 for a Russian billionaire as a gift, with a price said to be around $887,000.
9. "Vape" Became Word of the Year in 2014
As the category grew in popularity, the word entered everyday language. The surge between 2011 and 2014 led Oxford Dictionaries to name "vape" the 2014 Word of the Year.
Fun fact: a few of the other contenders that year included "bae," "budtender," and "slacktivism."
10. Flavored Cartridges Were Restricted in 2020
In a 2020 policy that drew criticism from many sides, the federal government announced restrictions on certain flavored vape products. The action specifically targeted cartridge-based e-cigarettes, such as those made by Juul.
The policy halted sales of pre-filled cartridges in fruit, dessert, and mint flavors, leaving menthol and tobacco cartridges on the market. Notably, tank-style devices and the e-liquids made for them were not covered by that action. The stated reasoning was that refillable tank products are typically sold in age-restricted shops, while cartridge pods had become widely available elsewhere.
Explore Our Vape Product Specials
Now that you've brushed up on vaping history, you're ready to show off that knowledge. And if you want a second reason to feel good, we keep vape deals running on a wide range of devices and e-liquid. Browse the selection and see what catches your eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented the modern e-cigarette?
Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik is credited with the first commercially successful e-cigarette. He filed his patent in 2003, and his "Ruyan" device reached the Chinese market shortly afterward. Earlier concepts by Joseph Robinson (1927) and Herbert A. Gilbert (1963) laid groundwork but were never commercially successful.
When did vaping become popular in the United States?
Electronic cigarettes arrived in the U.S. in 2007 after appearing in Europe around 2006. The category grew steadily from there, and by 2014 the word "vape" was popular enough to be named Oxford Dictionaries' Word of the Year.
What is a vape "mod"?
A mod is a larger, more customizable device, originally created by hobbyists modifying simpler early hardware. Modern mods offer adjustable settings and bigger clouds, and they remain a favorite among adult enthusiasts. You can browse current options on our vape mods page.
Did the 2020 flavor restrictions ban all flavored vape products?
No. The 2020 federal action targeted pre-filled cartridge-based e-cigarettes in fruit, dessert, and mint flavors. Refillable tank-style devices and the bottled e-liquids made for them were not covered by that specific action. Regulations vary by state and continue to change, so always check the rules in your area.
What was the most expensive vape mod ever made?
The most expensive on record is the diamond-encrusted "Sofia" from Shisha Sticks, reportedly commissioned in 2014 for around $887,000. Other high-end collector pieces have sold for figures like $109,000, though everyday mods cost a tiny fraction of that.
How old do you have to be to buy vape products?
You must be 21 or older to purchase vape products in the United States. All orders are age-verified, and these products are intended for adults only.
These products are intended only for adults 21+. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. This article is general product information and is not a smoking-cessation claim.