Super Soaker facts for kids
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| Type | Water gun |
|---|---|
| Inventor(s) | Lonnie Johnson |
| Company |
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| Country | United States |
| Availability | 1990–present |
| Materials | Plastic + metal and latex parts |
| Slogan | "Wetter Is Better!" (classic) "It's Nerf or Nothin'!" (present) |
The Super Soaker is a famous brand of water gun from America. It was created in 1989 by an engineer named Lonnie Johnson. Unlike regular squirt guns, Super Soakers use air pressure to shoot water. This makes the water go farther, faster, and more accurately.
The first Super Soaker was sold in 1990. It was first called the Power Drencher. In 1991, it became very popular under its new name, Super Soaker. About 2 million of these water guns were sold that year! Sometimes, people even use "super soaker" to describe any toy water gun that uses air pressure.
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How the Super Soaker Was Invented
The idea for the Super Soaker came to Lonnie Johnson by accident. He was doing experiments in his bathroom. He was trying to create a new type of cooling system. During one experiment, a powerful stream of water shot across the bathroom. This gave him the idea for a new toy!
A few months later, Lonnie built a first version of the water gun in his basement. He wanted to make and sell the toy himself. But he soon realized it would cost too much money. So, he looked for toy companies to help him.
In 1989, he finally found success. He met a person from the toy company Larami at a big toy show in New York City. Larami was very interested in his invention.
The first Super Soaker appeared in stores in 1990. It was first named the Power Drencher. In 1991, its name was changed to Super Soaker. The money Lonnie Johnson earned from the Super Soaker helped him start his own company. It was called Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.
Early Super Soaker Models
When Super Soakers first came out, there were many different models. They ranged from small pistols to very large water cannons. Here are some of the well-known original models:
- Super Soaker 10: This was a very small, pistol-sized water gun. It was easy to hide because of its tiny size.
- Super Soaker 30: This was one of the first pistol-sized guns released in 1991. It held more water than the SS20.
- Super Soaker 50: This was a very popular mid-size water gun. It was known for shooting water a long way. This was thanks to its special air pressure system. The SS50 became a famous toy. In 2015, it helped the Super Soaker brand get nominated for the National Toy Hall of Fame.
- Super Soaker 100: This was a larger Super Soaker. It held a lot of water and could shoot very far. It was the first model to have a separate chamber for pressure.
- Super Soaker 200: This was one of the biggest and heaviest original Super Soakers. It came with a strap to make it easier to carry. It also had two water tanks and different nozzle settings.
- Super Soaker 300: This was a huge Super Soaker that used a backpack to hold its water. It had three air-pressured firing chambers. It could shoot a lot of water very quickly.
The XP Series of Super Soakers
After the classic models, the XP series came out. XP stands for "eXtra Power." These models did not have numbers that directly showed their size or power. The XP series also tried out new ideas, like tanks that twisted on quickly.
Some examples from the XP series include:
- XP 15: A very small pistol, similar to the original SS 10.
- XP 65: A medium-sized water gun, like a replacement for the popular SS 50.
- XP 105: A heavy water gun that still had a separate pressure chamber. It took the place of the SS 100.
- XXP 175: This blaster had two tanks and two barrels. It was the second largest in the XP lineup.
The XP series models were updated every two years. Eventually, the XP series was replaced by the Max-D series.
The CPS Series of Super Soakers
The Super Soaker CPS series used a new system called "Constant Pressure System." This system made the water flow out very smoothly and powerfully.
The Super Soaker CPS 2000 was the first model in this series. It came out in 1996. It was known for being very powerful. Some people felt it was too powerful because it used up its pressure too quickly. A slightly changed version of the CPS 2000 was released later.
After two years, the CPS 2000 was stopped. Then, four new CPS blasters were launched:
- CPS 1000: This model looked like it had one round pressure tank.
- CPS 1500: This one looked like it had two round pressure tanks.
- CPS 2500: This model looked a lot like the CPS 2000. It had an adjustable nozzle. This allowed for more controlled shots and made the water last longer. Lonnie Johnson once said this was his favorite Super Soaker model!
- CPS 3000: This was the second Super Soaker ever to use a backpack to hold its water.
Later, more CPS models like the CPS 1200, 1700, 2700, 3200, 2100, and 4100 were released.
Fun Facts About Super Soaker
- Super Soaker has sold more than $1 billion worth of water guns in total!
- Lonnie Johnson used simple materials to build his first Super Soaker. He used Plexiglas, PVC pipes, O-ring seals, and a two-liter soda bottle for the water tank.
- In 2011, the Nerf Super Soaker Shot Blast won "Outdoor Toy of the Year." This award was given at the 11th Annual Toy of the Year Awards in New York City.
- In 2015, the Super Soaker was added to the National Toy Hall of Fame.
