History of vaporizing

bibblybobbly

Well-Known Member
My first go-to source, wikipedia is pretty silent on the matter. And google only has links to a few rag-tag articles and blogs.

But what is the history of the vaporizer as we know it today? I remember reading about them years ago when I was younger, less interested in health, and had no money to get one with. By all accounts some were very hit-or-miss, and the ones that weren't were very expensive. The market and technology seemed far less developed. Nowadays with the popularity of nicotine e-cigarette devices, it has become a widespread practice to consume vapour, and people are broadly aware of it as a method of consumption (albeit more for nicotine liquids than for herbs.) And the market for herb vaporizers also seems to have exploded.

How long have these devices been around? What has been the progression of the technology? How long has it been a goal to release compounds as vapour, rather than smoke, particularly in the cannabis community? What were the pioneering devices? What has been the crossover (if any) with the rise and rise of e-cigarettes?

I'd like to hear about this kind of stuff, especially from those involved in the scene from early days.

This might help to get us started - funny to see the seasonal shifts in interest around new-years time! https://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=vaporizer

EDIT: also found this, sounds interesting http://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/ashtray-blog/2014/06/vaping-origins-1970s.html
 

dilvish

in hypno-vision
electric_pipe.jpg
 

stressed

Well-Known Member
i bought my first table top vape in 1999. it had a bunch of little test tubes. you would put some pot into the test tube, then place the test tube into the unit to heat up. you would then put some tubing into the top of the test tube and take a hit.

at that time, a lot of people were saying that if you saw vapor, it was too hot. so like a dummy i kept the temps too low and didn't get very high for the amount of bud i was using.

i wish i knew the name of the company that made it. i was curious if he went on to build some of these newer models. like the OP said, there is very little info on these older products.

we used to smoke hash oil by putting the oil into little glass hash oil pipes (this was way before crack so they were not crack pipes) and heating the bottom of the glass with a lighter. was that vaporizing?

i tried a whip type vape and didn't like it very much as i was using more pot for the same level of high then i got a bag type vape and i'm in love with the bag. i wish i would have found the bag years ago. i went from smoking 3 oz a month to vaping less than one.
 

EverythingsHazy

Well-Known Member
i bought my first table top vape in 1999. it had a bunch of little test tubes. you would put some pot into the test tube, then place the test tube into the unit to heat up. you would then put some tubing into the top of the test tube and take a hit.

at that time, a lot of people were saying that if you saw vapor, it was too hot. so like a dummy i kept the temps too low and didn't get very high for the amount of bud i was using.

i wish i knew the name of the company that made it. i was curious if he went on to build some of these newer models. like the OP said, there is very little info on these older products.

we used to smoke hash oil by putting the oil into little glass hash oil pipes (this was way before crack so they were not crack pipes) and heating the bottom of the glass with a lighter. was that vaporizing?

i tried a whip type vape and didn't like it very much as i was using more pot for the same level of high then i got a bag type vape and i'm in love with the bag. i wish i would have found the bag years ago. i went from smoking 3 oz a month to vaping less than one.
Wow, you've been vaping since for a long time!

Which bag vape do you use now?
 
EverythingsHazy,
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stressed

Well-Known Member
Wow, you've been vaping since for a long time!

Which bag vape do you use now?
i use the arizer extreme Q. I wasn't sure if i would like the bag so i didn't save up for a volcano but the Q works great. I have it on about 14 hours a day. some people don't like using a bag but the Q is a whip type vape too. it's a good unit.
 
stressed,
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Hashtag46&2

Trichome Technician
:lol::lmao::rofl::razz:
This post almost had me spit coffee all over my tablet in a fit of laughter...ha!


Edit;
However, this thread really got my attention,and decided to do some research.

Apparently the first electronic cigarette was invented in 1927, by a gentleman named Joseph Robinson and approved for patent in 1930
Resource.
http://www.v2cigs.com/blog/2013/10/the-real-history-of-electronic-cigarettes/

And his original "blueprint "


This guy was way ahead of his time examining this sketch, I'm still trying to find a picture of the finished product, will update when/if found.

Next I found in 1963 Herbert A Gilbert submitted a patent for a "Smokeless Non-Tobacco Cigarette"
Here is a quote from the provided link..

The present invention relates to a smokeless non-tobacco cigarette to provide a safe and harmless means for smoking by replacing burning tobacco with heated, moist, flavored air. Another object is to provide an article of manufacture resembling a cigarette by which air may be drawn through a porous substance of a cartridge which has been moistened with a chemically harmless flavoring preparation, heated by a suitable heating element. A further object is to suitably raise the temperature of the inhalant mixture, so that it may approximate that of cigarette smoke. A further object is to insulate the heat source so that the ‘cigarette’ may be held in the fingers without discomfort to the user’s hand.”

And, I just found this on VapeWorld..

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  • History of Vaporization
History Of Vaporization
HISTORY OF VAPORIZATION

In the epic battle of traditional methods versus vapor, everyone is a winner. Let’s be honest, traditional methods are one of humanity’s oldest pastimes, connecting cultures and uniting individuals around the globe. After all, traditional methods transcends the boundaries of language. Similarly, vaporization has been around for much of recorded history. Centuries ago, ancient cultures would gather around red-hot stones, throw seeds on top and proceed to bathe themselves in the aromatic vapor released into the air. How is it, then, that so many people still are unacquainted with what vaporization actually is? Awareness of the benefits of using a vaporizer is rapidly increasing, thanks to strong networks in the traditional method subculture, but there are many questions left to answer.

Let’s start from the top. What is a vaporizer? Vaporizers are devices used to heat various aromatic blends, oils and extracts to a temperature high enough to release desired components, but below the point at which such substances burn. Modern day vaporizers are quickly gaining popularity as a cleaner experience, providing the true aroma of your aromatic blends. One can enjoy the pleasantness of different substances without the lingering smell of traditional methods on one’s tongue, hands and clothes. Since no combustion occurs, the vapor produced is cooler in temperature and is less likely to irritate a sensitive throat.

While knowledge of vaporizers and the clear advantages of vaporization is quickly growing, the history and origins of the device remains hazy. Vaporizing traces its roots back to Ancient Egypt, as evidenced in “The History of Herodotus” (1928, Dial Press, Inc., p.226, Book IV). During 5th century B.C., Herodotus, who is often called the “Father of History”, recorded his account of the ancient practice enjoyed by Scythians. “The Scythians take some of this hemp-seed and… throw it upon the red-hot stones; immediately it vaporizes and gives out such a vapor as no Grecian vapor-bath can exceed; the Scyths, delighted, shout for joy.” The steady heat from the baking stones would produce a pleasant smelling vapor. The same principle of heating without burning is the basis of many aromatic products today.

The concept of using a stone as a heating element to create a vapor was later refined in the form of a hookah. Heated by a charcoal, a hookah does not actually burn the material. Instead, it is designed to vaporize all the honeys and sugars in which the shisha material is marinated. That explains why the material remains in the hookah bowl, as opposed to turning to ash.

The origins of the hookah date back over 1,000 years, invented in the northwestern provinces of India. Early hookahs were simple and primitive, often made from a coconut shell base. About 500 years ago, when the hookah made its way into Turkey and become popular among intellectuals and the upper class, hookah designs became more ornate. The hookah grew in size and complexity and became similar to models that we are more familiar with today.

After the popularization of the hookah, several centuries passed with virtually no notable technological advancements in vaporization. Finally, in the late 20thcentury the modern day vaporizers began to take form. In the 1970s, a vaporizer known as the Tilt was created. According to the manufacturer, laboratory tests demonstrated that it released 79% less tar than a regular pipe. The Tilt would not be on the market for long, as it was withdrawn in the early 1990s due to the passage of anti-paraphernalia laws. This absence was soon filled thanks to the efforts of a Cherokee medicine man.

eagle-bill.jpg


Eagle Bill Amato, born in 1942 as Frank William Wood, has been labeled the “Father of Vapor” and is often credited with single handedly sparking a vaporizer revolution that lead to the invention of hundreds of different vapor delivery techniques. Eagle Bill was introduced to vaporizing in 1993 by a Californian grower who used a heat gun to vaporize aromatic blends. In an effort to design a more affordable means of vaporizing while simultaneously raising public awareness, Eagle Bill invented the “Shake and Vape” based on the very same Ancient Egyptian methods of using indirect heat to vaporize and release compounds in various aromatic blends. The Shake and Vape was a simple but innovative design – a glass pipe that relied on heating the bottom of a glass bowl with a flame rather than lighting the substance itself. Pioneered by a Native American, the Shake and Vape was nicknamed the “peace pipe of the future”.

Eagle Bill’s invention would be the catalyst for rapid technological and product developments in the vaporizer industry. The BC Vaporizer, developed in 1994 by a Canadian company, was one of the first electric vaporizers. Whereas many vaporizers operate via convection-style hot air flow, the BC Vaporizer utilized a conduction-style heating process, which means the aromatic blends come in direct contact with a hot surface.

Reflective of the diversity comprising the traditional method demographic, there are a multitude of vaporizers available today that can be matched to an individual’s unique needs. Stationary models are very popular, providing a convenient way to vaporize in the comfort of one’s own home. These units usually require connection to a power outlet, so many consumers keep their home-based unit on bed-side nightstand or coffee table. Currently, the biggest trend in vaporizers is a shift toward total portability. Vaporization enthusiasts are jumping at the opportunity to carry a pocket-sized device that offers flexibility of use. Manufacturers such as Ploom and Magic Flight have mastered the art of discretion without compromising quality and efficiency. By offering units that fit in a shirt pocket as well as they fit in the palm of one’s hand, these companies are providing consumers with a new outlook on the options vaporizers provide. Now, users can bring their favorite portable vape on a hike, to the beach; the possibilities are endless!

When it comes to efficiency, vaporizers offer consumers a much higher value than combustion ever will. As anyone knows, after combustion, the remaining materials have turned into ash. Vaporizers provide quite the opposite experience. After the desired compounds have been released, the structure of the “already been vaped” (ABV) aromatic blends remains intact, although, the materials will be much drier and darker in color. Although most of the active ingredients have been vaporized, users can save their ABV aromatic blends to further extract active compounds through revaping, cooking with, or even making a tincture. This allows users to truly get the most value out of any blend.

Like telecommunications, there have been more technological advances in vaporization in the last two decades than the previous two millennia. What will the future bring? Who knows, but as you ponder what’s to come, remember to appreciate the past, because it led you to the present, which will guide you in the future.
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Awesome topic @bibblybobbly .
By no means am I finished here... I'm still reading through several different links... I'm completely engulfed in curiosity now.

And I even have a DIY project in the near future.. Converting my DIY Sestos PID D-nail into a dry herb Vaporizer.

I really love reading about the history that lead to the Vapor Revolution, and how we can push the envelope to create a new revolution, one of which everyone that utilizes Cannabis whether medicinally or recreation realizes that lighting this sacred herb on fire to smoke is rather primitive, and is the least efficient means of consumption.
 
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