Who Invented Airsoft?

Airsoft is a wonderful sport that has been steadily gaining popularity in the last decade or so. In this exciting sport players use weapons, typically modeled after their real firearm counterparts, that shoot a plastic ammunition meant to give the players a realistic shooting experience without causing any lasting physical damage. Obviously, in order to have a sport like this someone must have thought of it in the first place, so who did?

The History of Airsoft

Airsoft was originally developed in Japan in the early 1970s as way to provide a safe alternative to shooting real firearms. The Japanese government had very strict regulations regarding the distribution of real firearms and airsoft guns were a way to give Japanese citizens an outlet to get their shooting fix.

The first airsoft guns were much different than the models that are popular today and were all special order, customized for each individual. They were more prone to breaking and had to be lubricated frequently; this was part of the learning experience for the earliest fans of airsoft. By the mid-eighties, airsoft had become quite popular in Japan and the first production ready models of airsoft guns emerged.

The Founders of Airsoft

As with most hobbies, a community of passionate and dedicated followers emerged around airsoft in the early years; however, the true architects of the airsoft movement were relatively unknown. There are some notable individuals that played a role in popularizing the sport and some of the earliest adopters of airsoft that been given recognition for their countless contributions to the community.

The man widely credited as the founder of airsoft is Toshio Yamada. Able to see the potential of airsoft in the 1970s, Yamada worked to create the first production ready guns and helped to spread the word of airsoft to hobbyists in Japan. Without Yamada, it's unlikely that airsoft would have achieved the level of popularity that it currently enjoys today.

In 1999, Owen Bennett also played a role in popularizing airsoft in the United States. A successful businessman, Bennett was able to bring airsoft to the US and helped to create the first modern production models. He established Systema Engineering which is credited as being the first airsoft company in the US and helped to bring airsoft to the attention of the world.

The Impact of Airsoft

The contribution of Tosiho Yamada and Owen Bennett is impossible to overstate. Without their passion, determination, and creativity, airsoft would likely never have become the vibrant and popular community that it is today. Thanks to the establishment of Systema Engineering, airsoft guns have become much more reliable and diverse.

Today, airsoft is an international sport enjoyed by millions. Countless companies specialize in the production of airsoft guns and all around the world there are people enjoying the hobby in a safe and responsible way. Without the effort of Towhio Yamada and Owen Bennett, none of this would have been possible.

Brief Recap

Growing from humble beginnings in the early 1970s, Towhio Yamada is credited as the founder of Airsoft. Thanks to his production ready designs and his passion for the hobby he was able to popularize airsoft in Japan. Subsequently, Owen Bennett brought the hobby and the production cars to the United States and helped to establish the first commercial airsoft company. Both men have made incredible contributions to the sport that are incredibly difficult to place into appropriate perspective. Without their contributions, the airsoft hobby likely wouldn't be the same as it is today; a beloved international pastime enjoyed by millions.