When Were Batons Invented?

The baton began to gain in popularity between 1820 and 1840. The first batons were narrow and conical wooden wands that had an engraving of three rings near the bottom that indicated the handle.

When did police stop using batons?

"Baton use declined in the late 20th century as other less-than-lethal options such as Taser weapons and pepper spray became more widely available," the article states. "Despite their usefulness, many officers have stopped carrying batons because their use often requires more justification than other options."

Why is a baton called an ASP?

The most recognizable name in expandable batons is ASP, which is actually the acronym for Armament Systems and Procedures, Inc., a company that manufactures and sells police equipment. The ASP baton became so popular among law-enforcement officers they began to refer to all batons as ASPs.