THOMAS PAUL (TOM) JENNINGS
July 17, 1924-

Manufacturer-Promoter- Dedicated Archer


Born Jonesboro, Arkansas, moved to California in 1929

Tom started making bows, arrows and other archery related equipment as a young schoolboy.

In 1954 with M.R. Smithwick, Tom formed S&J Archery Sales located in North Hollywood. They manufactured and sold the Citation bow (named after the famous racehorse); one of the better recurves of its day. During the 1950's and 1960's Tom conducted many experiments on fiberglass and stress. He was also the technical editor for several publications, including Bow and Arrow.

In the early 1970's primarily through Tom's efforts, the "COMPOUND BOW' became the bow to shoot. In 1972 Tom with John Williamson formed Jennings Compound Bow Inc.

Although not the inventor, because of his functional design improvements to the Allen Patented Compound 4-wheel bow, the popularity of the compound grew that by 1980, 80% to 90% of the serious archers shot compound bows. In 1975 Jennings Inc. developed the 2-wheel compound named the Model T, a bow everyone could afford as well as enjoy.

Tom Jennings Bow Maker Extraordinary
Inducted 1981