James Albert Bonsack is credited with the invention of the modern cigarette. In 1880 Bonsack patented a machine known as the “Bonsack cigarette rolling machine.” This machine was a significant innovation in the tobacco industry. It automated the process of rolling cigarettes, making it faster, more efficient, and less labor-intensive than hand-rolling.
Before the invention of Bonsack’s machine, cigarettes were primarily hand-rolled, which limited their production capacity and made them relatively expensive. Bonsack’s machine changed this by enabling the mass production of cigarettes and led to a significant reduction in the cost of manufacturing cigarettes, making them more affordable for the general population. As a result, cigarettes became more accessible and gained popularity among a broader range of consumers.
This contributed to the growth and expansion of the tobacco industry as well, leading to the establishment of major cigarette manufacturing companies.
Source: History Cooperative