How Does a Lighter Work?

Inside a cheap disposable lighter there's a liquid that should be a gas, a "flint" that's actually metal, a tiny spring-loaded valve, and a wheel that's hard to turn on purpose. We slow the flick right down and follow what your thumb really does: sparks from the wheel, gas from the lever, and a flame that only needs the spark once. Chapters 0:00 The flick that fails 0:26 Slow down the flick 0:45 The spark: a flint that isn't a stone 1:40 The fuel: a liquid that should be a gas 2:38 The valve: a tiny door with a spring 3:38 The flame 4:32 Let go 4:48 The wheel that fights back 5:30 The cold-morning problem 5:55 So why is it so cheap? 6:54 Back to the first flick