Editing VintageRex (section)

== History ==

=== Founding and development ===

VintageRex was created by Carter Brown, known online as ''Painthappy'', and Steve Novak, known as ''Mister.44''. Both were collectors of historical paintball equipment.[1][2]

According to the website's account of its origins, the founders identified a need for an organised online archive while comparing their personal collections and researching historical markers.

Novak contributed his experience in web design, information architecture and museum work, while Brown developed the database using his knowledge of Perl programming. The website's initial structure was reportedly completed in nine days.[1]

The earliest surviving entries in the website's administrative change log date to 5 May 2004, when Brown was adding and editing information about markers produced by [[PMI Sheridan]], [[Tippmann]], [[Carter Machine]] and other manufacturers.[3]

On 23 February 2005, eight curator accounts were added to the database, including an account associated with [[Bacci Paintball]].[3]

On 23 February 2025, VintageRex announced its 20th anniversary. Although the anniversary identifies 2005 as the website's recognised founding year, its surviving administrative records demonstrate that database development was already taking place in 2004.[3][4]

=== Community contributions ===

VintageRex was designed as a collaborative archive, allowing collectors and enthusiasts to contribute photographs, historical information, magazine advertisements and technical documentation.

Authorised contributors, known as curators, assisted with maintaining and expanding the database.[3][4]

Novak, who also worked as a freelance writer and photographer for ''[[Action Pursuit Games]]'' magazine, subsequently retired from his role as a founder. Brown continued administering the website.[2]

=== Temporary unavailability ===

VintageRex was unavailable during part of 2020. In December of that year, members of the M.CarterBrown forum discussed the website's absence and reported using archived copies through the [[Internet Archive]].[5]

Forum members reported that Brown retained copies of the website's files and that restoration was anticipated.[5]

VintageRex subsequently returned online. Its administrative change log records renewed maintenance activity beginning in February 2021, with further database updates recorded in subsequent years.[3]

The website remained accessible in 2026.