History of Paintball

Idea for paintball created

Jun 13, 1976

The idea for paintball was created by 2 friends after a recent trip to Africa to hunt game.

First paintball marker

Mar 24, 1981

The first paintball marker used was a Nel-spot 007 pistol. This pistol was originally used by farmers to mark trees or livestock.

Origin

Jun 27, 1981

Twelve people participated in this first paintball game in New Hampshire. It was a capture the flag style game. The winner won without firing a shot.

More tech invented

Jul 1, 1981

Between 1981-1983 rival companies were competing to make better products and tech.

First outdoor paintball field

Jul 14, 1982

The first outdoor paintball field was founded in 1982.

First pro paintball tournament

Feb 21, 1983

The first professional paintball tournament was in 1983.

Paintball spreads out of US

Aug 28, 1984

In 1984 the paintball business spread to Australia and England.

First indoor paintball field

Sep 3, 1984

The first indoor paintball field was made in 1984.

First successful paintballs

Apr 1, 1985

The first successful paintball was called the Nelson brand and it was stored in tubes. The paintballs were oil-based.

Tippmann founded

Sep 24, 1986

Tippmann entered the paintball market in 1986.

Founding of NPPL

Dec 31, 1992

The major force of tournament paintball, the NPPL, was founded in 1992-93.

Dye founded

Mar 21, 1994

In 1994 pro paintball player Dave Youngblood started DYE which stands for Dave Yougblood Enterprises. The whole company started with one barrel, the Boomstick.

Spyder founded

Mar 31, 1994

Spyder entered the paitball market in 1994.

Anti-chop tech invented

Jan 17, 2006

Tippmann created anti-chop tech for paitball markers in 2006.

Paintball tournaments

Apr 23, 2010

Tournaments are largely organized games of paintball.