Editing Bob Long Technologies (section)

== History ==

=== Origins ===

Bob Long entered the paintball equipment industry during the 1990s, developing custom markers and aftermarket components.

His early work included modified [[Autococker]] markers, barrels, bolts, regulators and upgrades for [[Spyder]] markers.

Long also developed the Millennium, a customised mechanical semiautomatic marker based on the Spyder platform.[5]

These products established his equipment business before the introduction of the company's electronic tournament markers.

=== Defiant ===

In 1999, Long was associated with the development and marketing of the [[Bob Long Defiant]], an electronic paintball marker manufactured in collaboration with [[Indian Creek Design]] (ICD).

The Defiant was derived from the ICD Bushmaster 2000 platform and incorporated modifications associated with Long's equipment business.

The original manufacturer's manual, copyrighted in 1999, identified both Long and Indian Creek Design in its manufacturing and intellectual property documentation.[6]

The Defiant preceded the development of the Intimidator.

=== Intimidator ===

In 2000, Bob Long Technologies introduced the original [[Bob Long Intimidator]], commonly nicknamed the ''Timmy''.

The Intimidator was an electronically controlled, pneumatically operated marker designed for competitive paintball.

Its operating system used a pneumatic ram and poppet valve, replacing the mechanically operated striker used by conventional stacked-tube blowback markers.

The marker incorporated electronic firing controls and an infrared break-beam system designed to detect paintballs in the breech.[7]

The Intimidator became the company's principal product during the early 2000s.

In 2001, the company introduced the Ground Zero Intimidator, incorporating a revised grip frame, electronics and regulator.

Additional versions followed during 2002, including the Dragon and Ripper.

The range subsequently expanded to include the Alias, Empire, Vice and Protege models.[8]

Contemporary reporting from the 2002 [[Paintball World Cup]] documented the launch of new Intimidator models through [[National Paintball Supply]].[9]

The Intimidator became an established platform in professional tournament paintball and remained in production through several generations.

=== Later marker development ===

During the second half of the 2000s, Bob Long Technologies introduced additional marker platforms.

The '''Marq''' series incorporated an inline firing-engine design, differing from the traditional stacked-tube arrangement of the Intimidator.

The '''Marq Victory''', introduced in 2009, continued the development of the inline poppet-valve platform.

In 2010, the company introduced the '''G6R''', a sixth-generation Intimidator incorporating a redesigned stacked-tube mechanism and internal gas-routing system.[10]

During the early 2010s, the company expanded its range with the Insight, Onslaught and additional Victory variants.

These products incorporated revised firing engines, electronics and marker construction.

The company also introduced the '''MVP''', a mechanical pump-action marker derived from elements of the Marq Victory platform.[3]

=== Company structure ===

Bob Long Technologies also operated under the name '''BLAST'''.

United States federal court records from October 2007 identify the company as '''Bob Long Adrenaline Sports Technology'''.

The court identified Robert M. Long as the company's founder, president and sole shareholder.

The same proceedings documented an established distribution relationship between BLAST and [[National Paintball Supply]], which supplied Bob Long markers through its wholesale network.[1]

A separate Michigan Court of Appeals decision from December 2010 identified BLAST, Inc. as a corporation also known as Bob Long Technologies.[11]

These records establish BLAST as a separate business from National Paintball Supply and its successor, [[KEE Action Sports]].

=== Acquisition by Field One Paintball ===

In late 2016, a group associated with professional paintball team San Diego Dynasty established [[Field One Paintball]].

The new business was founded by members of Dynasty and the team's longtime manager, Eric Crandall.

Field One acquired assets and marker designs from Bob Long Technologies.[2]

On 18 January 2017, Dynasty player [[Ryan Greenspan]] publicly announced that the team would use Field One markers during the 2017 season.

The announcement confirmed the acquisition of Bob Long Technologies and stated that Field One intended to continue manufacturing selected existing products while collaborating with Bob Long on further designs.[4]

Field One subsequently developed its own equipment range, including the [[Field One Force]].

The new company maintained a connection with Bob Long's engineering work but operated under separate ownership.