When Was Paintball Invented History Origins

What is Paintball?

Paintball is a sport that began in 1981 and has become beloved by many active people around the world. The objective of the game is for each team to try to eliminate the opposing team by hitting players with a non-metallic, paint-filled projectile shot from a compressed air operated device called a paintball gun. There are many different game modes, including capture the flag, elimination, and various forms of team-based elimination.

Who Invented Paintball?

The credit for inventing and popularizing paintball goes to Charles Gaines and Hayes Noel. Charles Gaines was a writer from New York City, and he and his friend Hayes Noel were looking for a safe way to simulate hunting and military scenarios in an urban environment. They tried various other uses such as using air guns filled with pellets, but eventually resorted to using paint-filled balloons. Gaines and Noel then patented the idea in June 1981, adding more groundbreaking developments and thus began the paintball craze.

When Was Paintball Officially Invented?

The official date of the invention of paintball is June 1981 when the patent was first taken out. This marked the beginning of the commercial use of paintball and the increased popularity of the activity. Although there are some reports of the game being played prior to June 1981, it was Gaines and Noel's large scale commercial production and popularity which solidified the game of paintball as we know it today.

Explosion of Popularity

In 1985, paintball was first marketed and widely distributed by Nelson Paint Company, and in the early '90s, more manufacturers such as Paintball Sports Promotions and National Professional Paintball League were created. By 1990 more paintball fields had been constructed, and by 2000, teams from all over the world competed in various leagues.

Modern Paintball

Today, paintball has roughly 8 million players worldwide, and the most popular leagues are the National X-ball League, the NPPL, and the Millennium Series. In addition to the tournament-level play, there are fields and paintball parks found around the world which allow for recreational play as well.

In Summary

Paintball was officially invented in June 1981 by two friends, Charles Gaines and Hayes Noel. The activity has since grown massively in popularity and is now enjoyed by millions of people around the world. There are various levels of play, from recreational all the way up to tournament-level. Paintball is a safe and thrilling way for people to enjoy outdoor activity and simulate military-style scenarios.