The year was 1973, but the technology of sled dog racing was still in its Dark Ages. Competition changed that. As the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race became more contest and less camping trip, mushers demanded equipment thatwas tough, lightweight and easy to use. As demand grew, Fairbanks entrepreneur Terry Cummings formed a company, Lead Dog Supply, to supply headlamps based on Swenson'sdesign. Today, Lead Dog sells a headlamp with an unbreakable reflector machined in California and polished in Mexico.
Most serious competitors consider the expense worthwhile.
Much the same logic applies for new and better dog collars, harnesses, ganglines,tuglines, sled bags, sled brakes, snowmobile-track drags, snowhooks, dog food cookers, clothing, sleds and sleeping bags. By paying top dollar, they buy personalsafety without increasing the weight of the load the dogs must pull. The lighter the load, the faster the team. Technology has also improved upon sled materials and design. Twenty-five years ago, dogs strained to pull steel sled runners over frozen ground.