Why is Captain Zig Zag a stoner icon?

The tobacco industry has the Marlboro cowboy Cannabis enthusiasts have the Zig-Zag zouave.

Over the years, rolling papers Zig-Zag have become synonymous with a smooth, slow-burning experience. You know exactly what time it is when your friend pulls out the iconic bright orange packaging with the mustachioed man on the front. But have you ever wondered who that man is and where he comes from?

A brief history

To understand the Zig-Zag man, aka Captain Zig-Zag, let's go back to the origins of the brand. Founded in 1855 by Frenchmen Maurice and Jacques Braunstein, the Zig-Zag brand introduced a practical new way of rolling tobacco products using specially designed paper.

The duo quickly met with success and, within a few years, had perfected a packaging process that allowed papers to automatically exit a booklet, one by one, in the shape of a «z»: hence the name Zig-Zag. The brand then patented the process, and this invention won him a gold medal at the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition.

However, its slim design and ingenious packaging weren't the only things that caught the eye - many wondered who the dashing man on the cover of each rolling paper brochure was.

The truth is, the Zig-Zag man himself is part of folklore. Legend has it that Captain Zig-Zag, a Zouave soldier, was in the thick of battle when his clay pipe was shot and shattered in his hands. Seriously in need of a smoke, he decided to try rolling tobacco using a piece of paper torn from a musket cartridge. Little did he know that at the siege of Sebastopol, his most prized achievement would be to roll the cigarette that inspired a whole generation of smokers.

The Zig Zag Zouave

Thanks to the leaves' slow burn and ease of sticking, Captain Zig-Zag went down in cannabis history as a household name among stoners. As the brand experimented with other looks and figureheads, the famous bearded man became an integral part of its image and success.

ZIG ZAG sheet is made from natural gum arabic. Hemp and linen are the two components of this sheet, which is guaranteed to be chemical-free.

The evolution of Captain Zig-Zag

With over 140 years of existence under his belt, Captain Zig-Zag has gone through many iterations and been transformed several times until he achieved the iconic neon look we know and love. Let's take a closer look at how he came to be the charming, almost hip captain of today.

1879

Although the company was founded many years ago, the Zouave soldier we know as the «Zig-Zag man» didn't appear on the packaging until 1879. The intricate image paid tribute to the ever-resourceful soldier who inspired a DIY movement.

1894

The year that changed everything: in 1894, the Braunstein brothers perfected and patented their z-shaped packaging method. They named the new product «Zig-Zag», referring to the unique shape of the interwoven papers as they were removed from the packaging. Still in use today, each booklet is manufactured using the same revolutionary process.

1900

In 1900, Zig-Zag papers achieved international renown when they were awarded a gold medal at the Paris World's Fair. Six years later, Zig-Zag was registered as a trademark and enjoyed success in almost every corner of the world.

1966

In classic «do first, ask forgiveness later» fashion, the Zig-Zag logo was used to design a poster for a San Francisco show at the Avalon ballroom for Big Brother, The Holding Company (Janis Joplin), and Quicksilver Messenger Service in the summer of 1966.

Although the poster's creators didn't bother to obtain official copyright clearance, they did take the time to include a quote at the bottom of the poster: «What you don't know about copying and duplication won't hurt you.» Lesson learned.

1969

In 1969, the Captain Zig-Zag campaign was created and our Captain was born. Depicted similarly to Uncle Sam's propaganda poster, the Zig-Zag man poses with the quote «Captain Zig-Zag Wants YOU!» underneath. The campaign didn't last long, but the Captain Zig-Zag name stuck.

Captain Zig Zag

1986

1992

To consolidate their place in pop culture, Dr. Dre released his first solo album «Chronic» with a tribute to Zig-Zag rolling paper on the album cover. The image shows a representation of himself in the golden frame of Zig-Zag, ready to smoke Chronic.

Dr Dre and Captain Zig Zag

2020

Today, Zig-Zag proudly sells a wide range of rolling papers and smoking accessories, with the same ingenious soldier drawn on every pack. He now appears to wear a floppy hat and an impressive moustache, clearly trying to fit in with his new circle of stoner friends - but no matter what he wears or how he styles his facial hair, we always know that his face represents nearly 150 years of quality rolling.