Markers
Paintball is a game where markers or guns
are filled with non-lethal paint put in gel-like capsules which
basically are used to shoot opponents. These markers are propelled
by compressed gas.
Markers used in paintball evolved through the years - their use now
is not the reason they were created years ago.
Markers for trails, trees and cows:
Believe it or not, the use of these markers started in the 70’s when
farmers and members of forest groups used them to mark trees as well
as trails, and cattle. The guns used then were powered by gas. Then
- whether by inspiration or boredom – the users of these guns began
playing around and instead of aiming them at other objects, decided
to use the guns on each other.
And then there was paintball:
It was in 1981 that a group of friends decided to play their own
unique version of paintball. They were using same guns they were
using to mark trees when they talked among themselves and decided to
buy into a tree-gun manufacturing business. The guns were then
modified to control the speed as well as the power of the marker.
They promoted the guns and markers to the public and “viola”, the
game of paintball officially began at a field near Rochester, New
York, in 1982.
The first paintball marker:
Ironically, the first ever paintball marker was not called a
paintball marker and was not even used for paintball. It was called
a paint-pellet and was created by the Nelson Paint Company
originally for the forest industry. It was invented by James Hale
and the patent was approved on January 29,1974.
The first paintball gun:
The first and only gun designed especially for paintball was called
Splatmaster was invented by a man named Robert Shepherd who was
issued a patent on July 3,1985. Later on, markers know as
electro-pneumatic guns were developed.
The first paintball marker that is washable:
A specially designed marker with a washable fluid placed inside of
soft gelatin capsules was invented by a man named George Skogg: the
patent was officially granted on January 6,1987. This special marker
fluid is more precise when shot: when it hits something, it is
brighter and more visible. It is easily washable with regular soap
and water or detergent.
Paintball markers have become user and player friendly through the
years. Who could imagine that what was used originally for cattle
and trees could be enjoyed by many people as a game? Hooray for
paintball!