Today’s stun gun originates from the cattle prod. In the U.S. inventors had been patenting electric cattle prods from the beginning of the century. By the 1950s, the stun devices were being patented but now they were characterized as non-lethal weapons. The first stun gun taser design (1952) was proposed for commando operations, to replace loud explosive gunfire. Domestic uses of what was to become a stun gun were also proposed such as an "Electrified Stick for Postman" (1964) or "Combined Policeman's Club and Restraining Device" (1960). In the early 60s, Government commissions proposed more effective means of riot control, including electric stun batons. These stun gun devices were characterized as improved law enforcement batons or crowd control sticks. They were mounted as accessories on teargas firearms to prevent rioters from wresting them from police. In the 1970s, electric stun technology took the shape of stun guns and tasers, proposed as ways of demobilizing terrorists. They were particularly touted for airline safety since a handgun could puncture the plane's shell while stun tasers could immobilize terrorists at a distance. By the end of the 70s, inventors began marketing today’s stun gun devices to the public as weapons against muggers.