IBELO (JBELO)

1. Brothers' Entrepreneurship and the Birth of "Colibri" (1920–1927) In 1920, brothers Julius and Benno founded the J. & B. Löwenthal workshop in Frankfurt, initially producing metal cigarette cases and fine hardware. As their technical expertise grew, they decided to enter the mechanical lighter market. To break the British and American monopoly on lighter technology, the brothers spent years plotting and finally developed a revolutionary semi-automatic ignition system in 1927, naming it the "Colibri Original." 2. Brand Split, Global Expansion, and Political Turmoil (1928–1945) By 1928, following Colibri's unprecedented success across Europe, the Löwenthal brothers launched an international expansion strategy: Julius moved to London to establish the UK Colibri company, while Benno relocated to Switzerland before also moving to Britain. The original factory in Frankfurt was handed over to family members and officially rebranded as IBELO, commercializing the initials of the two brothers' names. During the 1930s, IBELO introduced the world-famous Monopol fully automatic series. However, on the eve of World War II, due to the Löwenthal family's Jewish heritage, the Frankfurt factory faced brutal political persecution and forced "Aryanization" by Nazi Germany. The facility was requisitioned for military parts production (and briefly manufactured Stormguard military windproof gasoline engines for Allied and domestic use near the war's end). 3. Post-War Reconstruction in the U.S. Zone and the Golden Era of Divided Germany (1946–1970s) After World War II, the Frankfurt factory was taken over by U.S. forces amidst the ruins. Starting in 1948, the West German economic miracle took off, and the UK Colibri and Frankfurt IBELO re-established family-based technical sharing and cross-licensing agreements. During this period, IBELO released numerous classic designs. Because Frankfurt was under U.S. jurisdiction, products from the West German factory bore the special stamp "Made in U.S. Zone Germany," later transitioning to "W.Germany." In the 50-60s, IBELO became the preferred gift choice for European politicians and business leaders, thanks to its superior gas-powered technology and ultra-luxury desktop lighters. 4. The End of the Gas Revolution and the Brand's Final Curtain (1980s–Present) Entering the 20s 80s, IBELO—committed to high-cost, handmade manufacturing in West Germany—saw profits plummet due to cost-cutting pressure from Japanese electronic movements and the global flood of disposable plastic lighters. The company ultimately closed its Frankfurt factory in the late 20s 80s (around 1988 years ago), ceasing all lighter production. This name has since become an immortal legend in the history of vintage lighters.