The History of the Compound Bow
The History of the Compound Bow: How It Changed Archery Forever
An overwhelming majority of archery hunters today use a compound bow as their weapon of choice. To many hunters surprise though the invention of the compound bow is relatively new in terms of weaponry. However, it is an invention that revolutionized archery hunting.
Who Invented the Compound Bow?
The compound bow was invented by Holless Wilbur Allen in the 1960s. His design used a pulley system to reduce holding weight and increase power, revolutionizing modern archery.
As the story goes Allen was inspired to create a more powerful bow that was easy to draw and hold. He got the Idea after the launch of Hoyt Medalist Pro bow, that showcased vertical stabilizers in 1961. Allen thought that he could do it one better and add a wheel to mix.
How the First Compound Bow Worked
Being an engineer Allen understood the concept of the block/pulley system and stored energy so he began designing prototype bows using his revolutionary ideas. As with all innovative inventions go success wouldn’t come easy. Allen’s first designs using the “wheel idea” worked fine, he was getting what he wanted; a bow that could pull more weight back with less effort but he had issues. First designs had the cables crossing the flight trajectory of the arrow; the end result was stripped fletchings and bad arrow flight.
Challenges and Design Issues
It was back to the drawing board and what Allen came up with was set to change archery forever. Afterward, Allen figured out that by using an extra set of “idle” wheels mounted at the center of each limb and set at 90-degree angles to the limb tips. This would allow the cables to cross to one side of the centerline. As a result of this idea the arrows flight trajectory was unimpeded, and the beginnings of the modern compound bow were born.
Oddly enough though the hard work had just begun. Allen applied for a patent on his new invention in 1966 but do to federal laws regulated his design because it was deemed as to dangerous. Allen joined up with famous archer and bow manufacturer Tom Jennings to get the laws rewritten. Finally in December of 1969 Holless Wilbur Allen was awarded a patent for his new invention, the compound bow.
Quick Insight:
The biggest advantage of a compound bow isn’t just power—it’s let-off. This allows hunters to hold full draw longer, increasing accuracy and confidence when the moment of truth arrives.
Allen’s invention is considered one of the most groundbreaking inventions of hunting history. Today, compound bow have come along ways and improvements have been made, but manufacturers still use the same basic concept Allen introduced to the public over 40 years ago. Allen’s ingenuity and determination can still be seen today on the smiling faces of proud compound bowhunters all across the world.
July 2019
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