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Founded in 1876 as the Waterbury Manufacturing Company, the company grew exponentially under the leadership of the Chase family. The myriad companies and factories it owned were incorporated in 1936 and renamed the Chase Brass & Copper Company. Cigarette lighters were introduced in the mid-1930s as part of the Chase specialties line of chrome & copper housewares. This specialities line was discontinued when the Chase factories transitioned to wartime production during World War 2. For more information about this company, visit the Mattatuck Museum website. Japanese-made Pistol and pencil lighters were also sold in the U.S. using the brandname "Chase". These lighters were imported by Continental (NY) and are not associated with Chase Brass & Copper Co. (EB)