Phaser Fun
Founded By: Dan Newman and Larry Newman
Originated: March 31, 1995 Date Closed: June 17, 1997
Number of Locations: 1
Personnel of Note:
Dan Newman – Co-Founder
Larry Newman – Co-Founder
First Facility: Phaser Fun, 2100 South 1130 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
Equipment Overview: Phaser Fun was an early adopter of the use of fiber optic technology in their system, which included a phaser, headset and battery belt. This equipment (according to a phone interview with Larry Newman on June 21, 2012) used a modulated beam for data transfer, as he felt this would be more accurate and precise for a competitive player.
Historical Synopsis: After an experience playing Photon in Sandy, Utah in 1994, brothers Dan and Larry Newman were inspired to start their own laser tag company. The brothers looked to a plastics company based in Toole, UT to make their Phaser Fun equipment and proceeded to open their first (and only) location in 1995. They utilized a Photon phaser rack to hold their equipment. Players treating their equipment too toughly contributed to the business closing on June 17, 1997. This history was shared courtesy of a phone interview with Dan Newman on June 19, 2012.