Hello All
I would ask that the admins, after reading this post, sticky it so it does not get lost.
My name is Michael Buonagurio and I am beginning to write a book detailing the history of paintball during an approximate 20 year span from 1981 - 2001. This book will meant to be written as a scholarly work with the requisite footnotes, etc. as a documented account of where our sport has come from. Too many people think paintball began in 1995 and that everything has had a micro-chip and nitro on it. I had a brief yet fruitful conversation with Mr Kaye today regarding this endeavor and his suggestion was for me to post on these forums. The AGD community has an excellent reputation for helping with very little of the "leet 'tude" that so many other forums seem to spawn.
First a little on me so you all do not think I am a poser. I am 41 and have been playing paintball since June 1982. Except for a brief stint with the US Army in Panama and a 3 year lapse from 1992 - 1995 predicated by a new wife, new kid and new mortgage I have played paintball continuously these past 22+ years. I hold a BA in History, currently working on my MBA, am a former defense analyst and now work for Sikorsky as a technical writer. I have written and had articles published in APG, Crossfire and PB2X. I've worked as a consultant for the movie Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story- a comedic look at tourney play (www.bobbydukes.com)
I have played in all facets of the game from rec to tourney to big games and now to scenario's. I've worn camo and jerseys. I have a Redz pack that hangs next to my tac-vest, currently own markers that range from A-5s to an RT Pro and Eclipse cocker. I and my wife wife are the co-advisors to an official high school paintball club (the Newtown High School Paintball Club, Newtown, CT). I have travelled extensively around the country playing to the point that family vacations are planned with fields in mind. To me all paintball is good no matter the venue so long as one does not cheat.
Over the next few months I will be asking the paintball community to aid me in certain topics for information, pictures, and so on to bring this book into fruition. Of particular importance will be the other "old timers" that can provide me with aid I require as I try to piece together our sports early years from 1981 - 2001. Very little of this time period actually exists on the internet except for oblique references. WHile I have contacted many of the bigger names for their aid it is the vast majority of the players- especially the old ones like me- who have a wealth of institutional knowledge I would like to tap and record.
*******************
I am currently focusing on the equipment related to markers at this time- specifically the various modifications and innovations that occured to the Nelspot, Splatmasters, KP2, and so on up through around 1989 with the CCP Phantoms. What I am requesting help on is the following:
-High quality pictures of any modification be they battlegrips, prototype markers, pumps and stick feeds, etc. Basically any of the wild and wooly stuff that came out during the early years of the sport.
-Copies or links to advertisements, magazine articles, instruction manuals, etc.
-Anything else that you all think I can use to chart the history of the sport.
-I am especially looking for anyone who has old copies of magazine from this time period that would not mind either copying and/or allowing me to borrow them. If you are in New England I can even do a roadtrip to come and see you.
Any help of major value will be acknowledged in the book as will any photo's, etc that come from a personal collection.
*******************
I could also use people's suggestions for additional forums to post this query too. Please try not to point me to the trashtalk forums where every serious post is met with the online version of graffiti. Thanks.
As this work progresses I will try to keep people informed through the various forums.
If anyone can help with this endeavor in any way please contact me at [email protected].
I will get back to you as quick as I can depending on the e-mail load that is generated.
Thank you for reading this!
Sincerely,
Mike Buonagurio
I would ask that the admins, after reading this post, sticky it so it does not get lost.
My name is Michael Buonagurio and I am beginning to write a book detailing the history of paintball during an approximate 20 year span from 1981 - 2001. This book will meant to be written as a scholarly work with the requisite footnotes, etc. as a documented account of where our sport has come from. Too many people think paintball began in 1995 and that everything has had a micro-chip and nitro on it. I had a brief yet fruitful conversation with Mr Kaye today regarding this endeavor and his suggestion was for me to post on these forums. The AGD community has an excellent reputation for helping with very little of the "leet 'tude" that so many other forums seem to spawn.
First a little on me so you all do not think I am a poser. I am 41 and have been playing paintball since June 1982. Except for a brief stint with the US Army in Panama and a 3 year lapse from 1992 - 1995 predicated by a new wife, new kid and new mortgage I have played paintball continuously these past 22+ years. I hold a BA in History, currently working on my MBA, am a former defense analyst and now work for Sikorsky as a technical writer. I have written and had articles published in APG, Crossfire and PB2X. I've worked as a consultant for the movie Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story- a comedic look at tourney play (www.bobbydukes.com)
I have played in all facets of the game from rec to tourney to big games and now to scenario's. I've worn camo and jerseys. I have a Redz pack that hangs next to my tac-vest, currently own markers that range from A-5s to an RT Pro and Eclipse cocker. I and my wife wife are the co-advisors to an official high school paintball club (the Newtown High School Paintball Club, Newtown, CT). I have travelled extensively around the country playing to the point that family vacations are planned with fields in mind. To me all paintball is good no matter the venue so long as one does not cheat.
Over the next few months I will be asking the paintball community to aid me in certain topics for information, pictures, and so on to bring this book into fruition. Of particular importance will be the other "old timers" that can provide me with aid I require as I try to piece together our sports early years from 1981 - 2001. Very little of this time period actually exists on the internet except for oblique references. WHile I have contacted many of the bigger names for their aid it is the vast majority of the players- especially the old ones like me- who have a wealth of institutional knowledge I would like to tap and record.
*******************
I am currently focusing on the equipment related to markers at this time- specifically the various modifications and innovations that occured to the Nelspot, Splatmasters, KP2, and so on up through around 1989 with the CCP Phantoms. What I am requesting help on is the following:
-High quality pictures of any modification be they battlegrips, prototype markers, pumps and stick feeds, etc. Basically any of the wild and wooly stuff that came out during the early years of the sport.
-Copies or links to advertisements, magazine articles, instruction manuals, etc.
-Anything else that you all think I can use to chart the history of the sport.
-I am especially looking for anyone who has old copies of magazine from this time period that would not mind either copying and/or allowing me to borrow them. If you are in New England I can even do a roadtrip to come and see you.
Any help of major value will be acknowledged in the book as will any photo's, etc that come from a personal collection.
*******************
I could also use people's suggestions for additional forums to post this query too. Please try not to point me to the trashtalk forums where every serious post is met with the online version of graffiti. Thanks.
As this work progresses I will try to keep people informed through the various forums.
If anyone can help with this endeavor in any way please contact me at [email protected].
I will get back to you as quick as I can depending on the e-mail load that is generated.
Thank you for reading this!
Sincerely,
Mike Buonagurio
. J/k Thats a great collection...too bad you guys arnt bringing it to Mid western states ~*Cough*~WISCONSIN~*cough*~ :)
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