Humidors story-Part 1
The early days until the end of the 19th century
Introduction
Handmade cigars, from their creation until today, are inextricably linked to the world of luxury, worldliness and great events that are engraved with golden letters in the flow of history.
They symbolically identify their complexity, dynamism, innovation, evolving culture, sophisticated leisure and historical becoming.
They combine,with their tradition and long history, all the aspects and moments of the human condition, sealing a unique visibility in the perception of the consumer.
On the other hand, this unique miracle called "handmade" requires special care and balance so that when it reaches the hands of the consumer will be fresh, tasty and ready for the enjoyable experience it offers.
The solution to this ritual of preservation and enjoyment is an invention called ”cigar humidor”, an idea so simple yet innovative that it is actually a small miracle, combining design, art and science.
Below we will analyze how this came about.
What needs and cultural changes arose through its history that led to its current evolution.
In this short article we will try to unravel the main and important moments that led to what the cigar humidor is today.
A rich and fragrant story.
Τhe Early Days: Cigars Without Humidors
Before the introduction of the humidor all cigar smokers had a common problem that did not let them enjoy its features.
Cigars dried quickly, broke and lost their desired taste and aroma.
In humid and tropical climates where tobacco was grown – such as Cuba, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua – the cigars could hold their characteristics very well and survive as they were in their natural environment.
But when they were exported to drier climates, they lost all their particularities and this worsened the situation.
In the 17th and 18th centuries tobacco was stored in early simple containers such as boxes or barrels. These offered minimal or often no humidity control.
In improvised efforts they tried to store cigars in basements, cellars or damp cloths in order to retain some moisture.
They were temporary attempts that sometimes worked, but did not give consistency and stability to the whole process.
It was quickly accepted that a solution had to be quickly provided to provide a more controlled environment for proper storage, proper transport and export to different climates.
The Birth of the Humidor Concept
The concept of control for the preservation and storage of tobacco was a natural necessity that evolved and led to more specialized experimentation at all stages.
Merchants and aristocrats who loved and valued their cigars started the first attempts.
Although there is no specific and unique originator of the humidifier, the 19th century saw the first attempts at true humidifiers. These were basically wooden boxes lined with Spanish cedar.
Spanish cedar had these qualities needed for this and its importance in the whole process was quickly recognized
There was no warping, there was proper moisture retention, a pleasant aroma and it repelled the smoke beetles.
Its main property is that it could absorb excess moisture when the ambient air was too humid and release it when the air was too dry.
The first attempts were based on wet sponges or clay pots filled with water to keep the humidity inside the box.
By the mid 1800 cigars were popular and their culture was flourishing in Europe and North America.
This demand led many cabinet makers and craftsmen to evolve the humidifier and combine functionality along with luxurious craftsmanship and construction.
New innovations in Humidor Design
In the 19th century during the Victorian era the rise of cigars continued and humidors became symbols of status and practical tools adapted to the requirements of wealthy cigar lovers.
They made and adapted exotic leaves, ivory, silver or crystal as stand-alone furniture and many of them looked like cupboards or sideboards as small works of art.
Even more modest like small table boxes were often decorated with extra materials like small trinkets.
At the end of the 19th century, the concept of regulating the humidity inside the containers of humidors became more demanding and scientific.
As knowledge of hygrometry—the measurement of humidity—advanced, manufacturers began incorporating the first rudimentary hygrometers and humidity devices into humidifiers.
In 1887, Gustave Sykora patented an innovative design for a humidification device.
A small tank that released moisture in a controlled process.
This design led to important steps towards the current evolution of the humidifier.
Sykora’s 1887 Patent
Sykora received US patent number 356,605 on January 25, 1887, for the invention entitled "Liquid Air Regulator".
Purpose: His device had the logic to regulate humidity and its quantity – adding humidity to the air when it was necessary, mainly for closed spaces.
Design: It involved a water tank and a mechanism to adjust the exhaust to air.
Depending on the dryness of the air, its entire operation could add moisture according to the needs of the space.
This device was the harbinger of the first attempts at environmental control in closed spaces but also in storage areas, greenhouses and industrial areas.
This shows that people then did not only think about the temperature but also the quality of the air, the humidity as an integral part of better comfort and proper living.
Meaning of capital letters (B, C, D, F, P)
In old patent diagrams like Sykora's, each letter refers to a part of the device and how it works:
B — The main body and outer part of the device. It holds everything in.
C — The control arm or valve: Regulates air flow and vapor release based on humidity need.
D — The float mechanism: Measuring the amount of water in the device. It rises and falls with the water level, helping to regulate the amount of moisture available.
As the water evaporates, the liquefied air is released through the outlet (F)
F — The air outlet (or diffuser): Moist, humidified air exits from here into the room or environment.
P — The water tank: Here is where the device stores the water that will evaporate into the air.
Regional Variations and Craftsmanship - Innovations
In the 19th century the humidifier had a different development in different parts of the world.
In Britain they were usually made by master cabinet makers who were at the forefront of luxury furniture production.
Their design was according to the Victorian approach, with distinctive design, detailed marquetry, intricate brass locks and luxurious raw materials.
In France, towards the end of the century, there was a more elegant and refined aesthetic approach, incorporating elements of Art Nouveau.
French craftsmen emphasized on lacquered finishes, materials such as ivory used as inlays, and curved design that combined functionality with an aesthetic and artistic eye.
In the United States, especially in the second half of the 19th century, humidor production entered a more commercialized approach with additional luxury construction options for the upper class of private customers.
Nevertheless, some excellent wooden cigar boxes were made, the internals of which served as early forms of the modern travel humidor.
It was a century that laid solid foundations in the evolution of tobacco preservation. Simple humidification systems made their appearance and later patents appeared for cigar boxes, with built-in humidity regulators.
Some included glass thermometers or early analog hygrometers.
All these efforts marked a slow but steady shift towards scientific cigar preservation, with more sophisticated designs and innovations in parallel with modern advances in medicine, engineering and domestic technology.
Important Notice
"This article features names, historical events, external links and additional references about the humidors story from the early days until the end of the 19th century – Part 1
If any of the prominent figures mentioned in this article do not wish to be included, please contact via email
Edited by
Marios Krokos
Industrial Designer