Who Invented Vaping? However, Plans for the First E cigarette Went Up in Smoke 50 Years Ago Herbert A. Gilbert invented his Smokeless in 1963, but he couldn't convince any companies to bring the device to Cool Interview with Original Inventor of E cigarettes Herbert Gilbert An Interview with the Inventor of the Electronic Cigarette, Herbert A Gilbert E Cigarette Direct In 1963, Herbert A. Gilbert filed a patent for a safe and harmless means for and method of smoking. A Comprehensive History of Vaping