When Lonnie Johnson Created the Super Soaker
Lonnie Johnson, a former U.S. Air Force and NASA engineer, developed the core idea for the Super Soaker while working on a heat pump system in his bathroom in the early 1980s. The accidental leak from a nozzle that shot a stream of water across the room became the direct basis for the high-pressure water gun concept that would later become the Super Soaker.
The first working prototype of the Super Soaker was built by Johnson in 1982, and he filed a U.S. patent for the "Pressure Chamber Water Gun" in 1983, which was granted in 1986. The patent described a water reservoir, a hand pump, and a pressure chamber that stored energy to propel water much farther than traditional squirt guns, forming the technical foundation for the commercial product.
Commercial Launch and First Sales
The Super Soaker was first introduced to the market in 1990 under the brand name "Power Drencher" after Johnson licensed the technology to Larami Corporation, a toy company known for producing affordable outdoor toys. The initial release was modest, but the product gained rapid attention due to its performance compared to conventional water guns, leading to a rebranding effort for the following year.
In 1991, Larami rebranded the product as the "Super Soaker" and launched the iconic SS 100 model, which became a massive commercial success and quickly ranked among the top-selling toys in the United States. The Super Soaker's combination of a pressurized water chamber and a simple pump mechanism set a new industry standard for water guns and drove Larami's revenue growth during the early 1990s.
Patent, Ownership, and Current Status
Patent Details and Licensing
Lonnie Johnson's U.S. Patent 4,597,491, titled "Pressure Chamber Water Gun," was filed on June 7, 1984, and issued on June 24, 1986, covering the core pressure-chamber design that defined the Super Soaker. The patent was licensed to Larami Corporation, which was later acquired by Hasbro in 1995, and the Super Soaker brand has remained under Hasbro's management as a key outdoor toy line.
Hasbro Ownership and Modern Product Line
Hasbro currently owns the Super Soaker brand and continues to release updated versions of the original pressure-chamber design, including models with larger reservoirs, improved pump mechanisms, and higher water capacity to meet modern consumer expectations. The brand remains a major competitor in the outdoor water toy market, with products sold through major retailers and online platforms worldwide.
Lonnie Johnson's Broader Inventions
Beyond the Super Soaker, Lonnie Johnson founded Johnson Research, a technology development company based in Atlanta, Georgia, where he continues to work on advanced energy and engineering projects. His work on the Super Soaker has been widely cited as an example of a successful independent inventor who transitioned a garage prototype into a globally recognized consumer product.
Key Facts and Figures
The Super Soaker has generated billions of dollars in cumulative retail sales since its commercial launch, making it one of the highest-grossing toy lines in history. The original prototype, built in 1982, used a simple PVC pipe and air pressure system, while modern Super Soaker models use optimized pressure chambers and ergonomic designs to achieve greater range and water output.
For more information on Lonnie Johnson's career and the Super Soaker's development, see the biography at