INTRODUCTION

    In the late 1960's Wham-O™ introduced a plastic boomerang that sold for $1. Getting it to fly was a feat on its own, and many grew frustrated. Some were fortunate to find out when throwing it out of a moving vehicle that it finally came back! After finding the secret to this odd toy, it became enjoyable.

    Wham-O™ acquired a Hawes™ version that performed very well, then later the ever popular version where the hole in the dingle-arm gained notice. A few years later Wham-O™ sold their plastic boomerang to the 49er Plastics Company™ (who makes plastic gold pans to sell to tourists) and this is where that _____ red thing claiming to be a boomerang was released.

    My dad brought a broken one home; oddly it was busted in two places. He glued it together with some very off yellow colored cement, good enough for two throws before it was back in the shop. You know what, it sort of worked! Not an accurate return.

    That crazy red plastic 49er™ boomerang was mass produced in the 1070's and it didn't work very well. This may have been a contribution to the lack of interest back in them days.

    Boomeranging as a sport has been around way back during the ages of the pyramids™. There been many boomerang makes throughout the ages, just that the word did not get out much. Seemed only the higher intelligent folks, scholars, and those borne into it have used boomerangs back then.

    When exploration came about some blokes found Australia and found what they called a boomerang. These throw sticks were like aero dynamical baseball bats, some with hooks for grasping/tripping animals, and were thrown side ways. The word "boomerang" was incorrectly attached to these non-returning sticks. The proper name is "kylie" derived from Aboriginal language. These types of sticks were made to knock down game, and birds. The impact would shock, stun, or break the bones of animals that were hit.

    It was believed that a kylie and a real boomerang were used in tandem. A boomerang would be thrown outward over the top of game and other birds imitating a predator bird. Then the hunter would throw his or her kylie towards the target and disable it.

    The boomerang, as we know it today, is nothing but a pure sporting toy. They often weight but just a few ounces, and have little weight to do any serious damage to much of anything. I have seen birds continue on their way when I struck one. Even seen hawks catch my boomerang only to release it shortly, causing me having to get more exercise.

    The boomerang really poses no threat to anyone. The throw stick known as the kylie however would weigh a bit more and made of denser materials. These types were aerodynamically carved on both sides, and twisted or warped over a hot fire to fly along the desired path. The path often hovered over the ground and did not waver to one side or the other. These could realistically fly over 100 yards with considerable accuracy.

    In my youth I made one from plywood and got nearly 160 yards my first throw, only to spend over an hour trying to locate it in very high weeds. I never was able to hit any jack rabbits with it, although I got close once. As for birds, you one would have to find a fairly large flock and hope it hit one. Perhaps the Aboriginals had better fortune with their hunts; many a goanna became a burrito.

    There was no one culture that seems to have claim to the actual invention to the idea. As odd as it is, and with the remoteness of the locations where they were found, one would think the aliens brought us the idea! Boomerang versions have been found in Africa, in Egyptian tombs™, India, Poland, and here in the United States were found in Arizona and the Southern California Native American Indians had them too! So much for the Australian Aborigine claiming to be the creators.

    So how did the boomerang idea touch such broad geographical areas? Who knows, perhaps a wondering Gypsy that had an adventurous heart wondered across the lands and oceans bringing the art of boomerang craftsmanship with him, and taught various peoples and tribes along the way, and created the phenomenon. To travel to all those regions had to been a fairly difficult life-long trip... unless you had interstellar travel taken care of. >:)

    Remember: A boomerang is not a boomerang unless it boomerangs! ~ In other words, boomerangs return. If it does not return, it is not a boomerang. Just throw it out of your car window if it doesn't work!

BRIEF HISTORY

Modern Boomerang History by the Boomerang Man™

    What is a modern boomerang? Whatever you are making/throwing today, and is an improvement over what you were throwing yesterday. A thumbnail history of Modern Boomeranging: BEN RUHE lived and worked in Australia. When he returned to The States, he shared his rang interest and knowledge with his family and his many friends in the Washington, DC area. He sold boomerang under the trade name RUHE RANGS™. About 1970, Ben conducted Boomerang Workshops with the Smithsonian Institution. Each Spring, he would present a lecture and throwing demonstration. Attendees would receive a blank boomerang to take home. They would receive instructions on how to carve it into a returner.

    They would return a few weeks later to test their making and throwing skills. An Annual Boomerang Contest, on the Polo Fields in Washington, DC. was the proving ground. In 1972, an article appeared in a National Geographic Student's magazine about Ben Ruhe and his program. I wrote Ben, purchased some Hawes M17s™, Donnellan Plastics, and a German Sport Comeback™. Until then, I had used only a plastic rang and an Aussie Bush BBQ™ boomerang. In 1976 , I attended my first of many Smithsonian contests. At this O76 event were: HERB SMITH, Giles Healey, Al Gerhards, Eric Darnell and over 100 other avid throwers and collectors. Al had a BIG U-shape, strip-laminated boom....the next year, inspired by the Smith Hooks, Al made 16² strip laminated hook, which he donated as the main prize for the 1977 contest ( I won that beautiful hook:).

    However, it was the wonderful booms by Herb A. Smith that began the MODERN AGE of boomeranging. Throwers of the O76/78 era were influenced by Herb's superb craftsmanship, and his amazing, long distance throws. Following the plans and information in Herb's 32 page booklet, many makers began producing
excellent quality boomerangs. Some even began their own boomerang production. In Australia,1981, the first international boomerang contest was held. Australia vs The USA. USA WON. Australia visited The USA in 1984, winning the title from The USA.

    Every two years World Cup Boomerangs are conducted. In The USA, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Japan, England, France, Italy, Bulgaria...the list continues growing, boomerang clubs hold regular events. The mere mention of 3 wing rangs always brought disbelief and scowls from dyed-in-the-wool 2 wingers:) The introduction of Eric Darnell¹s Tri Fly™ began the change to 3 wing (radial wing) competition rangs. When Eric produced his TRI FLY™ in ABS, contest throwers started carving those into Fast Catch rangs...contests really began changing.

    Today, contest rangs are carved from TRI FLY P.E.T.™ (the same plastic used in plastic drink bottles) as well as from ABS and polycarbonate plastics. Darnell plastic rangs are used around the world in Fast Catch, Aussie Round, and in many other boomerang events. Herb Smith introduced the first Paxolin rangs. He could not find the Quality, Finnish Aircraft plywood he had been using. He discovered Paxolin, a plastic used for electric circuit boards. 2.5mm, 3mm, and 4mm thicknesses. Smith paxolin boomerangs were small, thin and light. Unweighted, they would fly out 60/75 yards. When he added lead weights to his 3mm and 4mm versions, the paxolin rangs could easily exceed 100/120 yards.

    A NEW AGE of Boomeranging began,when Herb introduced his paxolin rangs. The weighted, wood rangs weighted 6 to 8 oz, were difficult for the average thrower to throw and catch. The typical Paxolin Smith weighted under 2 oz., any moderately experienced thrower could achieve long flights, accurate returns and enjoy pleasant catches. Many of today¹s throwers make their contest rangs from various types of hi-tech plastic materials : P.E.T., ABS, polycarbonate, carbon fibre, glass-filled plastics, nylon, G-10, old PC boards, and more. Once you learn to throw boomerangs, you may want to try your hand at making them. Aircraft plywood is suggested. 5mm and 6mm thickness, in 5, 7, or 10 plies. FINNISH BIRCH AIRCRAFT PLY is the best. BALTIC BIRCH works well, and is is less expensive than the Finnish type. Surf The Internet to find out more about BOOMERANGS IN THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY!

Text compliments from The Boomerang Man™, in Monroe, LA.