People have been smoking various substances since times of antiquity. Pipes and “cigars” (which were sometimes as simple as a rolled leaf), have been around since ancient times. Ancient Egyptian pipes dating back to 2000 B.C. have been unearthed and Native Americans have been smoking tobacco since at least 1500 B.C. In order to help people smoke, a variety of other items have evolved along these basic implements. In this article we’ll take a look at some of the basic smoking accessories that have evolved over the years.

Pipes

Pipes, mentioned above, are one of the most basic smoking accessories so they should be noted. Throughout history they have been fashioned out of all kinds of materials like stone and ceramic, glass, metal, corn cob and meerschaum-a white mineral from the Black Sea, etc. So many varied shapes and designs have been created that it would be pointless to try to enumerate them here But in categorical sense they can in general be divided into ordinary “dry” pipes and water pipes. The first group includes the basic pipes most people are familiar with and the second category consists of items such as bongs, hookahs and bubbler pipes.

Lighters

In order to smoke anything you need to burn it. Lighters are thus a very basic smoking accessory. Outside of matches they are pretty much the only way to light up whatever you are smoking. Lighters use combustible gases and liquids such butane or naphtha, contained in some kind of chamber or well which is then ignited by a spark by way of some mechanical process. Fancy lighters and cheap disposables (such as the Bic lighters you find at the corner store) alike use this basic set up, though the means of ignition may vary a bit. Naphtha lighters (used more in the past) have a setup in which a soaked wick is ignited by the sparking mechanism, and butane lighters allow gas evaporated from a liquid well to be channeled out, when a lever is depressed, though a valve and small nozzle to be lit. Often the sparking mechanism involves metal scraping ferrocerium, a metallic substance that creates a lot of sparks when scratched. Ferrocerium was patented in the early 20 century and has been used in lighters ever since.

Tampers

Tampers are used mainly in tobacco smoking. These are simply a short rod that is used to pack tobacco into a bowl. Tobacco needs to be packed correctly in order to burn optimally. A tamper has a “boot” at one end and often some other accessory on the other such as a scalper for scraping out the pipe bowl. Again they may be made of all types of substances – glass, metal, ceramic, etc. and come in an infinitude of designs and themes. Wooden tampers (as well as, a are often made of briar b it is a very had and heat resistant wood type.

Ashtrays

Ashtrays are one of the most important smoking accessories, humble as they are. If you’re smoking something, you need somewhere to put the ashes or crush it out. Often they are made from non-flammable substances such as glass, metal, or ceramics, but may be made from any number of materials, even wood. And they come, of course, in endless different styles and designs.

Pouches and Cases

Pipe cases are often leather or fabric cases in which pipes lighters and other smoking accessories can be put. Sometimes they contain sheaths, straps, or other means of keeping pipes from bouncing around. Cigarettes may need to be carried loose and so cigarette cases have been designed. Often these are flat metal or wooden boxes in which 10 to 20 cigarettes can be carried without bouncing around too much.

Cases and Pouches

Speaking of cigarettes, we should mention rolling papers. These are small, thin rectangular sheets, usually with glue along one edge that sticks when moistened. Tobacco or some other smokeable material is put into it and rolled to form a home made cigarette. Usually these sheets are made from hemp, wood pulp, rice, or flax.

Pipe Cleaners

Pipes have to be kept clean in order to function well. For this purpose a simple contrivance called the pipe cleaner was designed. It is a flexible piece of wire (two intertwined wires actually) with absorbent/abrasive fibers along its length. It is thin enough to be inserted into a pipe stem, and flexible to reach bends and tight spots.

Smoking Jackets

Specialized smoking apparel – smoking jackets and so on – are mainly a thing of the past but to be thorough they should be included in the list as well. These jackets originated in the 17 century and are generally a kind of silk or velvet waist-length jacket or robe worn mostly by men. They were popular until the mid 1950s after which they began to see a decrease in popularity. Today they are rarely worn accept by purists and aficionados, but some say they may be due for a comeback.

These smoking accessories are some of the most basic, though there are, in fact, a whole gamut of other ones. Often their designs reflect artistic, cultural, or even spiritual trends. Whatever they represent, they give class as well as utilitarian convenience to smoking.

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