So when was it exactly when it turned out we live in a bad sci-fi novel? I suspect things started to go wierd in the fifties when the helicovector was invented. But I may be wrong. Other nominations are welcome.
(PS: scroll down from the raygun link and check out the other goodies on sale - "handheld, battery powered rocket launcher is slightly larger than a pack of cigaretts yet fires glowing, screeming, exploding arrows up to 150 Ft. Non-lethal. Great for personal protection" - xmas is officially sorted!)