Evolution of Archery

by Rob Daniels

The equipment used in archery has improved significantly since medieval times. While primitive bows were not very accurate, today's bows can accurately launch arrows at speeds over 148 miles (240 kilometers) per hour. Today's bows are a combination of wood, fiberglass, lightweight metals, and high-technology materials. Historically from early childhood children were provided with bows according to their height and are taught to shoot.

Today archery thrives as a competitive sport. Competitive archers have abandoned wooden bows and arrows in favor of new high-performance materials like fiberglass and laminated carbon.

Compound bows comprise the vast share of the archery market. The compound bow has a series of cables and pulleys, which reduces the amount of force needed to pull the bowstring back. Compound bows must be fitted first for draw weight and draw length, and then for bow length. Compound bows are also easier to hold cocked at full draw, which improves shooters' accuracy because it makes aiming more comfortable. Many compound bows today allow an adjustment of approximately three inches in draw length with the same size pulley.

Compound bows also require less arm strength and make it easier for children to comfortably learn the sport of archery. The draw weight of the bow also determines the ideal weight and diameter of the arrow shaft. Early arrows were made of wood and were fletched primarily with the feathers of such birds as eagle, crow, goose, and turkey.

Today there are several kinds of arrows differing in weight, length, thickness and design available. Most of today's arrows, are still made of wood, but some, are made from aluminum, fiberglass, and graphite. Most target shooters use the higher end carbon or aluminum arrows are very durable; they are made with an aluminum core and a carbon fiber coat. Aluminum shafted arrows are fast and accurate. Aluminum arrows with inserts allow more versatility by allowing different types of points to be easily interchanged for different hunting conditions.

Aluminum arrows are generally straighter than their carbon counterparts. Aluminum arrows are thicker than carbon/aluminum composite arrows. ess standing on the "Shooting Line" and the signal to start shooting has been given.

Wooden arrows are most used with traditional gear. A heavier arrow produces more energy, but if it is too heavy for a particular bow it will not perform well. The bowstrings are usually made of plastics or polyethylene cord and are flexible.

The bow and arrow is a complex technology. Potential energy, is transferred to the arrow, in the form of kinetic energy, when the arrow is released. The arrow's weight affects the amount of kinetic energy delivered to the target. As arrow mass increases, so does its kinetic energy.

While archery is an ancient sport, learned by the young as a necessity it is a fun sport that teaches discipline and skill. Archery kits are a great way to introduce archers into the sport without a big expense.

About the Author
Rob Daniels writes educational material for http://www.archery-target.com and http://www.kayak-escape.com two of his favorite lifelong sports.