THE OLD FLAME: The first disposable Bic lighters appeared in 1973. Because of their size (small), shape (handy), flame height (adjustable), and price (cheap), Bic lighters found their way into the pockets of hunters and anglers. In 2005 the Museum of Modern Art placed the Bic in its permanent collection. More important are the lighters of untold sportsmen who survived in the wild because they had one to easily start a fire.