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The Wet and Wild History of the Water Gun

From glorified eyedroppers to hydraulic cannons, we take a shot at the wet and wild history of the water gun.
By Amanda Green
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From glorified eyedroppers to hydraulic cannons, we take a shot at the wet and wild history of the water gun.
1

1896

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The cast-iron USA Liquid Pistol—said to "stop the most vicious dog (or man), without permanent injury"—is patented. A menacing rubber squeeze bulb and tube load the ammo.
2

1906

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Soren Sorensen Adams founds the Cachoo Sneeze Powder Company. The prettiest prank in his bag of tricks: the water-streaming lapel flower.
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3

1936

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Space hero Buck Rogers fired ray guns. His earthbound fans settle for the XZ-44 Liquid Helium Toy Water Pistol, which is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
4

1940s

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Abbott and Costello spray each other with seltzer bottles while becoming a favorite comic duo.
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5

1977

The Cosmic Liquidator sounds like a businessman's worst nightmare, but it's actually the name of the first air-pressurized water gun.
6

1985

The first battery-powered automatic water guns, invented by Alan Amron, employ an electric motor instead of an index finger.
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7

1987

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Long before Twilight, a group of teenage boys fight vampires with guns loaded with holy water in The Lost Boys.
8

1989

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Engineer Lonnie Johnson perfects the Power Drencher, positioning the air-pressurized water chamber on top of the barrel. Rebranded in 1991 as the Super Soaker, it triggers a water-gun craze.
9

1994

Alan Amron strikes again with the Shout 'N' Shoot, a voice-activated, multidirectional water-spouting headset.
10

2009

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With H2O grenades and rocket launchers, Wii's Water Warfare "first-person soaker" is the perfect game for water-fight enthusiasts who don't want to go outside or get wet. What?
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11

2011

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The H2Grow ammo in Xploderz toy weapons—pellets that become gelatinous when soaked—are a safer alternative to paintballs and a more painful alternative to water.
12

2012

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Water guns are banned—but actual guns are allowed—at the Democratic and Republican national conventions.
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13

2013

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Nerf Super Soaker's Arctic Shock may not be the biggest gun in the arsenal, but its 25-ounce Ice Drum makes it the coldest. Only the brrrave need apply.
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