13th Century B.C.–5th Century B.C.
Egyptians likely originated rope technology for handling cattle. Egyptian hieroglyphs depict pharaohs roping bulls with some form of grass-based ropes (likely hemp) and sacrificing them at temple ceremonies. Classical Greek philosopher Plato later mentioned the use of ropes to handle sacrificial bulls in Greek temples. Greek and Roman mosaics also show ropes around the necks or horns of bulls being dragged to sacrifice. Egyptians and Greeks did not use horses to assist in these tasks. To keep them moving, bulls were prodded from behind with bats.

1200s
During the heyday of the Mongolian Empire, horseback warriors used uurgas (wooden poles with rope loops on the ends) to snag European knights and drag them from their horses. Armor protected the mounted knights from arrows and swords, but they were much more vulnerable on the ground. The Mongolians also used their uurgas to capture wild horses and herd stock. As the Mongolian Empire conquered territories further west, this technology spread to Europe—mainly to the Spanish, who brought ropes and cattle to the Americas. Modern Mongolians still use uurgas much like working cowboys use ropes.

1400s–1800s
When the Spanish vaqueros came to the Americas, they brought cattle and herding techniques with them. What started as ropes similar to Mongolian uurgas evolved into Spanish rawhide reatas (ropes). And Spanish saddles developed horns for dallying in the late 18th century. These braided rawhide reatas could be 100 feet long and could catch steers 60 feet away. Southwestern vaqueros worked hard to keep their reatas supple, regularly rubbing tallow up and down the length. Cowboys in Texas and the Great Plains preferred to use grass ropes, made from yucca, hemp, or abaca plants. In wet conditions, however, these ropes were useless, stiffening and breaking easily.

1960s–early 1980s
Looking for a more durable product, companies like King Ropes in Sheridan, Wyo., began buying 600-foot spools of waxed nylon rope from cordage companies in New England. Originally intended for sailing, the spools came dipped in thick wax. To make the material usable, rope tiers had to unravel the spools and stretch the rope across fields for the sun to dry off the wax in three to six weeks. Once finished and cut into 40- to 60-foot sections, these ropes were tougher than grass ropes or rawhide reatas ever were. Synthetic ropes quickly dominated the market for this cowboy lifeline.

1980s–Present Day
To keep up with the popularity of arena roping, Curt Mathews founded Classic Ropes in 1986 (and later Fastback Ropes) to produce hundreds of ropes a day by machine. Today, team ropers generally use a poly/nylon blend (as do most working cowboys) for the head rope, as the polyester makes the rope softer and easier to maneuver. Heelers, who need their ropes to be stiffer and hold shape in the dirt, use nylon ropes. Because wax and nylon are both petroleum-based products, rising oil costs have inflated rope prices from around $20 per rope ten years ago to nearly $40 today.