In 1973, BIC launched its first BIC Butane Lighter, which quickly became a household staple throughout the world for its leading safety, quality and reliability. When it was first introduced, the BIC Lighter was available in five colors and sold for $1.49. Today, the BIC Lighter is available in a breadth of eye-catching designs and has a suggested retail price of $1.69 to $1.89 per lighter.

BIC Lighters are the most recognized lighter in the world. In fact, each day throughout the world more than 6 million lighters are purchased by consumers and since its introduction 40 years ago, BIC has sold more than 30 billion lighters in over 160 countries.

Flicktacular BIC Lighter facts include :

The BIC Classic ® lighter has been made in the USA ( Milford, Connecticut ) since 1974.

lighter has been made in the ( ) since 1974. A BIC ® Classic ® Lighter provides up to 3,000 lights.

Classic Lighter provides up to 3,000 lights. Recognized as an icon of modern design; it is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Musee national d'art moderne/Centre de creation industrielle-Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris .

and the Musee national d'art moderne/Centre de creation industrielle-Centre Georges Pompidou in . The BIC Classic Lighter's iconic shape is a registered trademark in many countries around the world.

The famous commercials that got consumers to "Flick Your BIC ® " debuted in 1975 - this slogan is still used today!

debuted in 1975 - this slogan is still used today! In decades past concert goers got "hip to the groove" by "Flicking their BIC." Today they do so by waving their BIC Concert Lighter smartphone app (free on the App store and Google Play).

"Over the past 40 years, the BIC Lighter has become a pop culture icon and the worldwide leader in producing a safe, reliable flame for millions of consumers every day," said Chris Mills, President, BIC North America Consumer Products. "We take great pride in the safety and quality of our products, and in the fact that after all of these years we continue to produce many of our lighters here in the USA in our Milford, CT lighter facility."

BIC employs high safety standards at its manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Every BIC lighter undergoes more than 50 individual, automated quality checks during the manufacturing process. BIC's commitment to quality continues even after each lighter has been machine inspected through further examinations and by testing samples of the product once in the market.

BIC 40th Birthday Flicktacular Promotions

BIC officially kicked off the Lighter's 40th Birthday Flicktacular celebration by having consumers vote online for their favorite designs from two of its top-selling Special Edition® design series: Tattoos and Flick My BIC. The lighters that consumers selected as their favorites became part of the BIC 40th birthday Special Edition Series Birthday Lighters, which feature a golden-hood and a 40th birthday emblem.

Next, the BIC "Best of You" contest invited consumers to create their own BIC Lighter designs. The company received more than a thousand entries, from which the top eleven (11) designs were selected and are also part of the BIC 40th birthday Special Edition Series Birthday Lighters featuring the golden-hood and 40th birthday emblem.

"Best of You" contest winners, who were from all over the U.S., were flown into New York City for the weekend and had the opportunity to visit BIC's Milford, Connecticut lighter manufacturing facility to see their lighter designs actually being applied to BIC Lighters. These designs are available at retail through August 2013.

Until August 2013, BIC 40th birthday Special Edition Series Birthday Lighters will have a game code that consumers can enter online through www.facebook.com/bicflickers for a chance to win instant-win prizes and the ultimate birthday bash, an upscale three-day, two-night trip to Las Vegas for four people.

About the BIC® Lighter :

BIC is the #1 worldwide in branded pocket lighters. BIC lighters are known for their safety, quality, long lasting and consistent performance, design, and value. BIC lighters meet or exceed the lighter safety standards established by ISO (International Organization for Standardization), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and all other government agencies. Every BIC lighter undergoes more than 50 separate, automatic quality checks during the manufacturing process.

About BIC USA :

Established in Connecticut in 1958, BIC Consumer Products USA (www.bicworldusa.com) is a leading distributor of stationery products, lighters and shavers. Since its founding more than 50 years ago, BIC USA has honored BIC's tradition of providing high-quality, affordable, simple and inventive products, that are accessible to all. Through this unwavering dedication BIC has become one of the most recognized brands in the world today, delivering "More for your money…Always!"

SOURCE BIC