1990s Paintball History

The 1900’s brought Wilbur Wright and his first glider, the incorporation of Pepsi-Cola, and the Beatles. Quietly during that time, paintball made a quiet showing (except for the kids who videotaped themselves doing a drive by shooting with paintball guns) During the 1900’s there were advancements with paintball gun manufacturing, paintball began growing overseas, paintball fields emerged, and became a sport worth televising.

Manufacturing History

1990
Semi-automatic prototype used in a tournament.

1991
The first nitrogen system for paintball, along with fiberglass tanks, was designed by Tom Kay (Automag inventor) and staff at Air Gun Designs. There was no patent for the regulated nitrogen system because Tom thought it would be more valuable to the sport without one. It was not marketed right away due to concerns regarding safety.

1992
On April 15, the Sheridan VM-68/PMI-3 was approved by rec-sport paintball with a vote of 195 to 43.

1995
Aldo Perone Toronto (currently XO industries, Skyball) who owned Brass Eagle sold Brass Eagle to Daisy Manufacturing Company.

1997
1. Smart Parts produces the Shocker.

2. PneuVentures produces the first marker with built in LCD screen, the very advanced Cyber 9000 that also featured a built in chronograph.

3. Prototype of the WDP Angel V was introduced at the International Amateur Open. Though it tried to claim to be the first electroneumatic paintball marker it was a year behind and they took several years before applying for a patent.

1998
The first Agitated paintball hopper was patented.

1999
1. Balls per second (BPS) restricted on all paintball guns. It would take effect in the year 2000.

2. Viewloader is bought from CM Support (Dave and Rhonda Bell) by Brass Eagle.

3. Electroneumatic paintball marker is patented on Oct 19, 1999.

Mid 1990’s
The ATF (bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) makes paintball gun silencers illegal since they work on real firearms as well

Growth History

1991
Paintball begins in Denmark and France. Other countries in Europe begin of paintball.

1995
Paintball playing fields are opened in Europe, Asia, and South America.

1996
Paintball playing fields, stores and tournaments found in the following countries; Canada, the United States, Australia, England, Scotland, Denmark, Franc, Holland, Germany, Austria, Ireland, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Africa, Russia, New Zealand, Brazil, Venezuela, Israel, Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Television History

1995
1. Paintball debuts on cable TV’s E.S.P.N.

2. Videotape of teenagers doing a drive by shooting using paintballs is released. Paintball enthusiasts from all over the world express their outrage over incident.

Competition History

1992 - 1993
1. NPPL (National Professional Paintball League) was founded.

2. Pro-Am Series started.

Miscelaneous History