Editing Smart Parts (section)

== History ==

=== Establishment ===

Smart Parts was founded in 1989 by Bill and Adam Gardner, both members of the professional paintball team [[All Americans]].

According to the company's founders, Smart Parts began in Bill Gardner's garage as a business producing equipment intended to improve the team's tournament performance.[1]

Its earliest products included aftermarket barrels featuring spiral porting and polished internal surfaces.

The company developed the '''All American''' barrel, which became one of its principal products during the 1990s.

Smart Parts also supplied customised versions of existing markers, particularly the [[Autococker]] and [[Automag]], before expanding into complete marker manufacturing.

The business subsequently established manufacturing operations in the Latrobe area of Pennsylvania.

=== Early electronic markers ===

In 1996, Smart Parts introduced the '''Shocker''', an electropneumatic paintball marker developed in cooperation with [[PneuVentures]] (PVI).

The original Shocker was manufactured by PneuVentures and distributed by Smart Parts.

It used a dual-solenoid, closed-bolt operating system, with electronic controls managing the loading and firing mechanisms.

The Shocker and the [[WDP Angel]] were demonstrated at the 1996 [[International Amateur Open]], representing an important development in commercially manufactured electronic tournament markers.[2]

Following the termination of its distribution relationship with PneuVentures in 1997, Smart Parts developed its own redesigned Shocker.

The '''Shocker Sport''', released in 1998, incorporated revised electronics, a smaller body and improvements to its operating system.

Unlike the original PVI marker, the Shocker Sport was designed and manufactured by Smart Parts.[2][7]

=== Impulse and Freak barrel system ===

In 2000, Smart Parts introduced the '''Impulse''', an electronic marker using a stacked-tube, ram-driven operating mechanism.

The Impulse was lighter and mechanically different from the Shocker Sport, using a poppet-valve design capable of higher firing rates.

It became a popular tournament marker and supported an aftermarket industry producing custom bodies, internal components and electronic upgrades.

Smart Parts also introduced the '''Freak''' barrel system in 2000.

The Freak used interchangeable barrel inserts of different internal diameters, allowing players to select an insert appropriate for the size of their paintballs.

Both the Impulse and Freak system were displayed at major tournaments during 2000, including the ZAP Amateur Open.[8]

The company subsequently expanded the Freak range through different barrel fronts, backs and insert materials.

=== Shocker SFT ===

In 2003, Smart Parts introduced the '''Shocker SFT''', also initially marketed as the Shocker 03.

Despite retaining the Shocker name, the SFT was a substantially different design from the original Shocker and Shocker Sport.

The new marker used a single-tube spool-valve operating system controlled by an electronic solenoid.

Its smaller body and reduced weight reflected the growing popularity of compact electronic markers in professional tournament paintball.

The Shocker SFT became one of the company's principal professional tournament products.[9]

Smart Parts subsequently introduced the Shocker NXT in 2006, incorporating improvements to the SFT platform.

=== Nerve ===

The '''Nerve''' was introduced in late 2004 as a premium electronic tournament marker.

It used a stacked-tube operating system derived from the Impulse, with revised electronics, improved ergonomics and additional factory-installed features.

The Nerve was intended to compete in the high-end tournament market.

A technical review published by [[WARPIG]] in January 2005 described the marker as a further development of the Impulse platform.[10]

=== Introduction of the Ion ===

In February 2005, Smart Parts announced the '''[[Smart Parts Ion|Ion]]''', a lower-cost electropneumatic marker intended to make electronic tournament equipment accessible to a wider market.

The original Ion was marketed at approximately US$300, substantially less than many contemporary professional-level electronic markers.[11]

Its design incorporated a simplified spool-valve mechanism, electronic firing modes, break-beam ball-detection eyes and a polymer outer body.

Contemporary testing by WARPIG identified the Ion as an important development in the availability of affordable electropneumatic paintball equipment.[12]

The marker became one of Smart Parts' most commercially successful products.

According to the company's founders, more than 100,000 Ion markers were sold during the first year of production.[1]

In 2007, Smart Parts introduced the Ion XE, incorporating a revised body and rear-access bolt system intended to simplify maintenance.

The Ion platform also provided the basis for several related markers, including the Epiphany and EOS.

=== Business expansion ===

The commercial success of the company's electronic markers supported substantial expansion during the mid-2000s.

According to a retrospective account published by the founders through [[DLX Technologies]], Smart Parts expanded from a 5,500-square-foot facility into a manufacturing complex exceeding 100,000 square feet.

The company also developed an assembly and sales facility in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, associated with the All American Paintball Park.

By 2006, Smart Parts reportedly employed more than 250 people and recorded approximately US$35 million in annual sales.[1]

These figures originate from the founders' own account and have not been independently audited for this article.

The company continued developing electronic markers, recreational equipment, barrels and accessories throughout the late 2000s.

Products included the SP-8, SP-1, Vibe and a redesigned Impulse introduced in 2009.