Eight Amazing Things About Boomerangs

When was the last time you were at a party, trying desperately to impress a potential dating partner, and you thought to yourself, “why oh why don’t I have a bevy of boomerang-related factoids to share with this special someone?”  I know, it’s like we just jumped inside your head and read your mind.

Here’s the list.  You can thank us later!

The Boomerang was not invented in Australia

The oldest known Boomerang was found in the Carpathian Mountains of Poland and is believed to be over 20,000 years old.  This fact will be hard to locate in Australian schoolbooks, as it a kin to learning something crazy like Baseball is actually derivative of the British Sport cricket.  Wait, what?  It is?

The Boomerang was discovered by accident

Various studies over the course of the last century point to evidence that the boomerang was invented by a hunter trying to fine tune a hunting stick.  Alternate explanations include – developing an early dress shirt hangar or really cool bottle opener.

The Boomerang Craze in the US was triggered by a magazine article

What’s more surprising, that Boomerang-mania swept the U.S. in 1968?  Or that the craze was kicked off because of a single article in Scientific American?  Ah yes, Scientific American, the Us Weekly of the late 60’s.

You know who was NUTS about the Boomerang?  ABBA

Don’t believe me? Check this out and see for yourself.  Sure, people will tell you “boomerang” was a metaphor for “love” or “my heart” but I’m not buying it.  The members of ABBA were very literal songsmiths.

Manuel Schultz is kind of a big deal in the world of boomerang throwing

Who is Manuel Schultz you ask?  He’s only won the individual long distance Boomerang World Championships in 2000, 2002 and 2004.  And in case you thought the Swiss thrower was slacking in 01, 03 and 05…they only hold the competition in EVEN NUMBERED YEARS!  Nice work Mr. Schultz.

The Smithsonian Institute is the official custodian of the archive of the United States Boomerang Association

You heard that correctly, there IS a United States Boomerang Association Archive.  And if you’re concerned about what happens to the documents, nay the LEGACY, of this fine organization, please turn your attention to Article TEN of this document.

Little boomerang, big world

In a busy world, where we struggle to find enough time to do the things that really matter, it’s reassuring to know that this gentleman still found the energy to design the world’s smallest boomerang.

The world’s longest boomerang throw is…really far.

In 2002, Australian Schummy set the world’s record for longest (non-returning) throw of a boomerang.  His toss measured a whopping 427.2 Meters and was later found in the bushes by his pet Labrador Spike.  Spike could not be reached for comment.