Slingshot History

As far as history is concerned it appears that the birth of the slingshot occurred in Russia. "Rogatka" means slingshot in Russian. The root word being "rog", means "horn". The "Rogatka," was a smaller simpler version of the slingshot. In "Ancient Rus" a larger heavier implement of war was referred to as a "rogatina, according to [Jack H. Koehler, Slingshot Shooting, Sling Publishing. Isbn=0.9765311-00].

The availability of vulcanized rubber was used in the construction of the classic form of slingshots. Tire inner tube provided the most common source of rubber tubing. If this theory is accurate, then slingshots were probably no constructed before 1888. Many people considered a slingshot to be a child's toy, up until the end of WWII. The first slingshots were constructed from the fork of a tree branch. As it turns out the wood from a Dogwood tree made an ideal wood source for the construction of slingshots. The red rubber inner tubes were superior to the later model black inner tubes because the red rubber was more elastic. Now, rubber compositions involve synthetics.

The Wham-O, company in 1949 produced the first sophisticated modern slingshots, which featured the first wrist-braced slash slingshot.

During the winter of 1953 a family named Ellengurg invented the wrist-braced slingshot/catapult. This simple but functional version of the slingshot incorporated the use of the bumper from a 1946 Willes, Jeep, as a work bench. Next, a dog collar was fashioned into a brace for the wrist. The pioneering genius of the slingshot can be documented with the major role that Howard Ellenburg and sons provided.

Saunders "Wrist-Rockets" were introduced in 1954. This high velocity, high accuracy slingshots have also changed to include such features as the self-centering ammo pouch, matched power bands, wear-reducing prongs and guidance collars."

Inexpensive beginner slingshots are still made for the fork in a tree branch, an inner tube with a piece leather for an ammo pouch. Commercial model slingshots have become quite sophisticated and powerful.

Today, slingshot design and materials are stored away from sunlight, and underwater to keep the rubber from stiffening and cracking. If the rubber is not preserved in this fashion, then a loss of elasticity properties is compromised. Metal rod frames with wrist- braces are to reduce or prevent hand and wrist injuries and enhance the sighting mechanism's capability. This way accuracy is greatly increased.

The Trumark recoil stabilizer can be attached and removed as required. Trumark's first version included a metal brace wrapped around the bottom of hand and was "locked" into place over the top of the wrist. Recoil action had to be diminished, so a plan was derived to add a recoil pad to prevent the wrist from snapping. This is how the Howard's "Wrist-Lockers" came into existence. Much of the work that went into creating and building the Howard's Wrist-Lockers" was performed in an old abandoned beer hall, which became their workplace of operation. The town where the construction of the "Wrist-Lockers" was conducted in the small town of Duncan, Nebraska. The first distributor of these ingenious devices was a company called Dura-Pak, located in Sioux City, Iowa. Catapults are still manufactured and sold around the world today, fifty -six years after their inception. The basic ideas and principles first generated by Trumark during the early fifties are still used today. The Trumark Wrist-Braced slingshot was the first in America. Trumark slingshots are the only slingshots made in America to this day.

The most widely used ammo used is 1/2" steel shot. The qualifying features include: The fixed padded arm braces, a solid lightweight aluminum frame, and split leather pouch, makes up the body of the slingshot. Latex Rubber Tubing surgical tubing is used because of it high velocity properties.

Laws governing the shipment of the slingshot need to be adhered to. Slingshots cannot be shipped to Massachusetts, New Jersey or New York.

Safety glasses are highly recommended when using slingshots.

Written by: Penny D. Montague