If you’ve ever passed a living room with a giant bag of vapor being passed around, you already know the legend of Storz & Bickel. The German engineering duo didn’t just build a better way to consume cannabis; they helped redefine the ritual. From the Volcano to today’s newest release, the VEAZY, S&B’s story blends precision, science, and a little ingenuity.
This is the tale of how a sketch in 1996 turned into a global benchmark for vaporization and why their newest pocket-sized device matters as much as the classics.
The Spark: Markus Storz and the Volcano
The roots of Storz & Bickel trace back to Tuttlingen, Germany, a town known for surgical instruments and medical technology. When Markus Storz first tinkered with the idea of a cannabis vaporizer, he wasn’t thinking gimmick; he was thinking precision.
Inspired by a photo of a heat gun over a pile of herbs in a hemp magazine, Storz wondered whether cannabis could be heated to release cannabinoids without burning plant matter. In 1998, his prototype was born. The true innovation wasn’t just hot air; it was the detachable balloon system. Instead of putting your lungs in the line of heat, the Volcano filled a bag with smooth vapor, ready to share, sip, and savor.
By 2000, the Volcano was ready for the world. In 2002, Jürgen Bickel joined Storz to formalize the company, and Storz & Bickel GmbH & Co. KG officially took shape. Their engineering roots gave them an edge: while competitors slapped together gadgets, S&B built medical-grade machines.
Why Vapor Matters
Combustion burns hot, is harsh, and brings unwanted byproducts. Vaporization changed the equation.
Here’s the science in simple terms:
Combustion (smoking) burns plant matter at over 1,000°F. Along with THC and CBD, you …
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Author: High Times / High Times
