<P> A lighter is a portable device used to create a flame, and to ignite a variety of combustible materials, such as cigars, gas stoves, fireworks, candles or cigarettes . It consists of a metal or plastic container filled with a flammable fluid or pressurized liquid gas, a means of ignition to produce the flame, and some provision for extinguishing the flame . Alternatively, a lighter can be powered by electricity, using an electric arc or heating element to ignite the target . </P> <P> The first lighters were converted flintlock pistols that used gunpowder . One of the first lighters was invented by the German chemist named Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner in 1823 and was often called Döbereiner's lamp . This lighter worked by passing flammable hydrogen gas, produced within the lighter by a chemical reaction, over a platinum metal catalyst which in turn caused it to ignite and give off a great amount of heat and light . </P> <P> The patenting of ferrocerium (often misidentified as flint) by Carl Auer von Welsbach in 1903 has made modern lighters possible . When scratched it produces a large spark which is responsible for lighting the fuel of many lighters, and is suitably inexpensive for use in disposable items . </P> <P> Using Carl Auer von Welsbach's flint, companies like Ronson were able to develop practical and easy to use lighters . In 1910, Ronson released the first Pist - O - Liter, and in 1913, the company developed its first lighter, called the "Wonderlite", which was a permanent match style of lighter . </P>

Where does the term 25 lighters come from