Despite engaging in wide consultations, the NASM ran afoul of veterans, representatives of the “military-industrial complex”, powerful politicians, and the popular media. In its effort to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War in the Pacific precipitated when the famed B-29 Superfortress aircraft, the Enola Gay, dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan., Although serious doubts were expressed at the outset by NASM staff, this purpose was combined with academic historical analysis of the decision to use this terrible weapon and the subsequent repercussions of doing so. Acknowledged as the most vehemently disputed episode ever witnessed in the world of museums, it stands as a fearsome cautionary tale that should be heeded by every museum attempting to survive in these increasingly politicised times. The Enola Gay was the subject of a controversial exhibition planned for the Smithsonian Institution’s (SI) National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington, D.C., the world’s most visited museum. Linenthal and Tom Engelhardt (New York: Metropolitan Books, 1996), endnotes, 295 pages, ISBN: 0-8050-436-1 (hardcover), 0-8050-4378-X (paperback).Įnola Gay after Hiroshima mission, entering hardstand. HISTORY WARS: The Enola Gay and Other Battles for the American Past, edited by Edward T. All Enola Gaye smoke grenades come in a range of colours to suit your preference: from bright colours like orange and yellow, to bold colours like blue and red, and more subdued colours such as black smoke and white smoke.AN EXHIBIT DENIED: Lobbying the History of the Enola Gay, by Martin Harwit (New York: Copernicus, An Imprint of Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., 1996), list of principals, chronology of significant events, endnotes, index, 477 pages, ISBN 7-3 (hardcover). We carry vibrant smoke grenades from Enola Gaye like their Wire-Pull Smoke Grenades, Burst Smoke Grenades, and Military Grade EG18X Smoke Grenades. However, it is not guaranteed that surfaces that were in contact with the coloured smoke will not be permanently stained. Enola Gaye's grenades are made with water-based dyes so any light staining can be washed off over time.
Enola Gaye manufacture their grenades using a non-toxic chemical composition free of sulphur. Are Enola Gaye smoke bombs safe for use?Īs long as they are properly used according to instructions, all Enola Gaye smoke products are perfectly safe to use. Enola Gaye smoke grenades that utilize this ignition system include the WP40, EG18X, EG18, CM75, and the Burst Smoke. Smoke ignition is achieved by sharply pulling a wire ring to the side of the grenade canister, similar to how a real military pull-ring grenade is detonated. Wire Pull™ Smoke Grenadesĭeveloped around a military grade ignition system, the Wire Pull™ is Enola Gaye's most widely-used line of smoke grenades.
In 2005, the company directors considered undergoing a name change, but the market's recognition of the brand name deemed it was not the best thing to do commercially.
The controversial company name originated from a time when paintball itself was in the midst of controversy, trying to establish itself as a reputable industry. The company name references the bomber plane, Enola Gay, which was the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb during World War II. Where does the Enola Gaye name come from? The smoke grenades for which the brand would later become most known for was added to their roster during development of their original paint grenade. The company started with an idea to manufacture a biodegradeable pyrotechnic paint grenade made from papier-mâché that looked just like its real grenade counterpart. Founded in 1996, Enola Gaye is the longest running pyrotechnic company manufacturing products for the airsoft and paintball industries.