When Was Airsoft Invented?

Airsoft is an increasingly popular sport with enthusiasts of all ages. Developed in Japan in the early-1970s, airsoft has grown rapidly in the nearly 50 years of its existence; an estimated 103 million people engage in airsoft each year. But how did this incredible phenomenon begin? This article will explore the mysterious origins of airsoft to determine the answer to the question: When was airsoft invented?

Origins of airsoft in Japan

As mentioned, airsoft was invented in Japan in the early-1970s with historians estimating the year of invention to be 1972. Though it isn't clear who invented Airsoft, or why; the development of airsoft in Japan was heavily influenced by the passage of the 1968 Firearms and Swords Possession Control Law. This law forbid the possession and use of both firearms and swords, making it incredibly difficult to participate in traditional shooting sports.

Toy guns evolve and airsoft guns are born

Though enterprising minds in Japan began immediately trying to find a way to continue enjoying shooting while respecting the new law, it wasn't until the 1970s that a departure from traditional shooting styles began to emerge. Enter: The toy gun. Initially designed as a game for kids and teenagers, these guns began to evolve to become tools for shooting sports.

The initial attempts at creating a toy gun weren't incredibly successful in terms of authenticity; the plastic pellets of early models had limited range, weren't affected by wind, and shooters would need to be incredibly accurate with their initial shot in order to have any kind of success. It wasn't until the introduction of spring-loaded springers' in the early-1980s that airsoft began to resemble the sport of shooting as we know it today.

Early airsoft games

The 1980s also saw the development of the first airsoft organizations in Japan, with the first skirmish' of airsoft taking place in 1987. These first skirmishes were incredibly rudimentary, taking place on outdoor fields using rudimentary buildings for cover in a run-n-gun style. The ruleset was incredibly relaxed with no win condition or shared objective amongst the eat.

With airsoft continuing to grow exponentially in popularity, the mid-1990s saw better-defined rules, win conditions, and even clubs. With purpose-built airsoft fields modeled to look like villages or military installations alongside team objectives, airsoft's first organized games were much closer to the airsoft as we know it today.

Airsoft worldwide

Towards the late-1990s and early-2000s, airsoft saw explosions in growth in both Europe and Asia, while it slowly began to gain traction in North America. South Africa the only country in Africa to have domestically produced airsoft guns saw a growth in popularity, with guns purchased in the US and branded with the banner of Pick Yourself Up PTY, LTD.

Though Japan is considered the birthplace of airsoft, South Africa is often credited as having popularized the sport, initiating organized rulesets, win conditions, and even leagues and tournaments.

Modern day airsoft

Today, airsoft is a mainstream sport enjoyed by millions, and is incredibly accessible in most countries. With high-quality airsoft guns, BBs, and other paraphernalia being produced by hundreds of manufacturers around the world; airsoft is easier than ever to get involved in. It's estimated that nearly 103 million people engage in airsoft each year, with these numbers set to increase exponentially in the next few years.

In Summary

This article has explored the question of: When was airsoft invented? Airsoft is an incredibly popular sport that was invented in Japan in the early-1970s, before undergoing a period of refinement throughout the 1980s and 1990s and eventually becoming the popular sport that it is today. With an estimated 103 million people engaging in airsoft each year, its safe to say that airsoft's popularity is only set to increase in the years to come.