An Interview with the Inventor of the Electronic Cigarette, Herbert A Gilbert E Cigarette Direct Qu'est ce qu'une cigarette lectronique ? D'o vient la cigarette lectronique ? La belle histoire de la cigarette lectronique conte par tonton Nik Oh ! Herbert A. Gilbert in US developed world's first electronic cigarette prototype in 1960s. Patented. But not commercialised. Then Hon Lik in Beijing developed new prototype 2003 which was commercialised & marketed 2007