Throwing-sticks in the National Museum Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1883-'84, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1890, pages 279-289

In this concise ethnographic treatise, listeners are guided through the world of the Arctic throwing‑stick, a humble yet ingenious hunting aid that served as a substitute for bow and spear aboard ice‑bound kayaks. Drawing on the collections and field notes of a host of nineteenth‑century naturalists, the author maps the subtle variations in shape, thumb‑groove, finger‑pegs and other structural details that distinguish regional designs across the hyperborean landscape. The narrative brings the device to life with vivid descriptions of how an Eskimo hunter steadies the light wooden shaft, launches a seal harpoon, and relies on the stick’s leverage to achieve both accuracy and stopping power in the water.

Beyond the mechanics, the piece offers a window into the daily realities of peoples whose environment dictated the need for portable, reliable weaponry. Listeners will hear anecdotes about the challenges of hunting from cold, greasy hands and learn why the throwing‑stick’s grip and extended arm motion made it a prized tool, often compared to the precision of a gun barrel. The report’s rich comparative approach invites reflection on how similar solutions arose in disparate cultures, all while preserving the intrigue of a technology that seems simple yet is remarkably sophisticated.