What is the origin of the "Pickle" switch for release of ordnance?
The accuracy of the Norden bombsight was often exaggerated, but it was never claimed it could put a bomb into a pickle jar. The exaggerated claim from the Norden Company was that a bombardier using it under &quot;ideal&quot; conditions could put a bomb into a pickle barrel from 20,000 feet AGL. In reality it could barely get within 100 ft of the target from 10,000 feet AGL. (AGL = Above Ground Level) Some sources claim that it's called a pickle switch because a control handle with many switches almost feels like a pickle with all its bumps, but that would imply the name was given considerably later than WW2.