Ben Pearson (bowyer)
American archer and bowyer who mass-produced archery equipment.
Ben Pearson (November 16, 1898 – March 2, 1971) was an American archer, bow maker, and arrow maker from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He is best known for founding the first U.S. company to mass-produce archery sets and gear.
Pearson was born in Paron, Arkansas. He built his first bow after reading Dan Beard’s Boy Scout articles. In 1926, he entered the Arkansas state championships using his own gear and finished second to last. He built new equipment and became Arkansas State Champion the following year. He kept competing, and by 1938 he placed seventh in the NAA National Tournament, one spot behind future employee Pat Chambers and 24 places ahead of Fred Bear.
Before 1938, Pearson sold arrows through pamphlets, and the first full Ben Pearson Inc. catalog was labeled “No. 12.” That catalog listed only arrows; bows appeared in the 1939 catalog. By the early 1950s, the company was known for affordable gear. To promote higher-end custom bows and arrows, which Pearson still made to order, the 1958 catalog introduced named bows instead of just model numbers.
In 1963, Ben Pearson Inc. was producing 3,000 bows and 3,000 to 4,000 arrows daily. The company was bought by Leisure Group in 1967, which stopped making the top-tier bows. In 1972, Leisure Group sold Ben Pearson Archery to Brunswick Corporation. By the company’s 50th anniversary in 1988, it had 350 employees and a $100 million payroll. That year, the company gave Governor Bill Clinton the six millionth bow and 200 millionth arrow it had manufactured.
Pearson died on March 2, 1971. In 1972, he was among the first inductees into the Archery Hall of Fame.
- Born
- November 16, 1898
- Birthplace
- Paron, Arkansas
- Died
- March 2, 1971
- Notable for
- First company in the United States to mass-produce archery sets and equipment
- Hall of fame
- Inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1972
- Company founded
- Ben Pearson Inc.
- Peak production
- 3,000 bows and 3–4,000 arrows per day in 1963
Lore & Background
Ben Pearson made his first bow based on articles for Boy Scouts by Dan Beard. In 1926, he entered the state championships using his own equipment, finishing second to last. He made new equipment, and in 1927 became the Arkansas State Champion. Pearson continued in competitive archery, and by 1938 placed seventh in the NAA National Tournament, just behind future employee Pat Chambers, and 24 places above Fred Bear.
Prior to 1938, Pearson marketed his arrows through pamphlets, resulting in the first full Ben Pearson Inc. catalog being listed as 'No. 12'. That first catalog only listed arrows, with bows added in the 1939 catalog. By the early 1950s, Ben Pearson Inc. was known for its affordable archery equipment. To make more people aware of the higher end custom bows and arrows, Pearson was still crafting to special order; the 1958 Catalog introduced higher-end bows with names rather than just model numbers.
In 1963, Ben Pearson Inc. was selling 3,000 bows and 3–4,000 arrows per day. In 1967 the company was acquired by Leisure Group, which dropped the highest-end bows from production. In 1972, Leisure Group sold Ben Pearson Archery to the Brunswick Corporation. By the company's 50th anniversary (1988) it had 350 employees and $100 million in payroll. That year, the company presented Governor Bill Clinton with the six millionth bow, and 200 millionth arrow manufactured.
Reader's Guide
Ben Pearson's significance lies in his role as the founder of the first U.S. company to mass-produce archery sets and equipment, making archery accessible to a broad market. His company, Ben Pearson Inc., grew from a small operation marketing arrows through pamphlets to a major manufacturer producing thousands of bows and arrows daily by the 1960s. The company's affordable equipment helped popularize archery as a sport and hobby. Pearson's own competitive archery career, including becoming Arkansas State Champion in 1927 and placing seventh in the NAA National Tournament in 1938, demonstrated his personal commitment to the craft. The company's later acquisition by Leisure Group and then Brunswick Corporation, along with its continued production milestones—such as the six millionth bow and 200 millionth arrow presented to Governor Bill Clinton in 1988—underscore its lasting industrial impact. Pearson's induction into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1972 further cements his legacy as a pioneer in archery manufacturing.
Did You Know?
- In 1926, he finished second to last in the state championships using his own equipment.
- The first full Ben Pearson Inc. catalog (No. 12) listed only arrows; bows were added in 1939.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ben Pearson (bowyer)?
Ben Pearson (1898–1971) was an American archer, bow maker, and arrow maker based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He is most widely recognized for establishing the first U.S. company dedicated to mass-producing complete archery sets and equipment.
How did Ben Pearson (bowyer) get started in archery?
After reading Dan Beard's Boy Scout articles, a young Pearson built his first bow from scratch. He entered the 1926 Arkansas state championships with that homemade gear and finished second to last, then rebuilt his equipment and claimed the state title the very next year.
What is Ben Pearson (bowyer) most famous for?
Pearson founded Ben Pearson Inc., which became the first company in the United States to mass-produce archery sets and gear, making the sport far more accessible to everyday shooters. His contributions were later honored with a posthumous induction into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1972.
Why is Ben Pearson (bowyer) important to archery history?
Before Pearson, archers largely relied on handcrafted or imported equipment, limiting the sport's reach. By industrializing bow and arrow production in the U.S., he helped transform archery from a niche hobby into a widely available recreational pursuit.
When and where did Ben Pearson (bowyer) die?
Pearson passed away on March 2, 1971, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The following year, in 1972, he was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in recognition of his lasting impact on the sport.
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