Broomsticks

Broomsticks


The wizarding sport of Quidditch is impossible to play without a broomstick. There are a wide variety of broomsticks that each revolve around a particular trait. Such as speed, handling....etc. The trigger that started the broomstick marketing was the invention of the cushioning charm by Elliot Smethwyck in 1820. This allowed broomsticks to be more comfortable than ever. The Moontrimmer one of many broomsticks was invented by Gladys Boothby in 1901. This was the first commercially placed broomstick and was in demand from Quidditch players. Gladys could not meet the sudden demand and neither could Leonard Jewkes. He released the Silver Arrow in 1926 a with help from the Cleansweep Brooms Company by the Ollerton brothers. There was finally a supplier for brooms that could mass produce.
Competition followed. The Comet Trading Company was formed in 1929. Ellerby and Spudmore soon followed with the Tinderblast and Universal Brooms Ltd released Shooting Star in 1955. The biggest however came in 1967 with the Nimbus Racing Broom Company. Their technology left the other companies in their dust. The company came into Market Leader and kept up with impressive releases ever since. One company tried to out do them with the release of the Twigger 90 in 1990, but no success. It was outshone by the Nimbus and mounted no serious challenge. The early 1990s was a busy time for the market leaders. They released the Nimbus 2000 in 1991, followed by the Nimbus 2001 only a year later. The daddy of them all however arrived in 1993 - The Firebolt. Though, it's highly expensive, it still is a public favorite.

Here are a few broomsticks through the wizarding ages.

MoonTrimmer: Designed in 1901 by Gladys Boothby. It was the first popular commercial Quidditch broom.

Silver Arrow: In Contrast to it’s competitor the Moontrimmer. This broom was much faster and just as maneuverable. It was the first to reach the 70mph landmark.

Cleansweep: Bob, Bill and Barnaby Ollerton founded the Cleansweep Broom Company in 1926. The Cleansweep being their first model. It was the first broom to be mass-produced and the first to have it’s own specific promote sales. It instantly became the dominate product on the market.

Comet Series: Randolph Keitch and Basil Horton who were both professional Quidditch players formed the Comet Trading Company in 1929. The Comet 140 was popular and a number of professional teams adopted it as their standard broomstick.

Shooting Star: In 1955 Universal Brooms Ltd was formed. It provided budget broomsticks that anyone could afford. Their invention, the shooting star, immediately became quite popular. As time passed the budget market faded as old second had Comets and Cleansweeps.

Nimbus Series: The Nimbus Racing Broom company announced their arrival in 1967. Their product, The Nimbus 1000 broke 100mph barrier and could turn 360 degrees on the spot. It was handled beautifully and was reliable. The entire professional Quidditch community adopted it as their standard. Comet tried to keep up with it’s 260 model, but alas the were unsuccessful and Nimbus arrived with 1001, 1500, 1700, 2000 and 2001 models through the years.

Firebolt: In 1993 this spectacular broom released. It passed the 150mph mark with acceleration, combined with balance and braking. It has an unbreakable braking charm and the lead of the market. It was the standard broomstick for all Quidditch teams

by Holly aka Brunette ^.^


http://www.mugglenet.com/infosection/quidditch/brooms.shtml