simonton's experience as an amateur piercer formed the basis of the primitive techniques used at the time and his network of contacts was instrumental in spreading the popularity of body piercing. ward perfected these techniques which have become industry standard the world over. in 1978, gauntlet obtained a retail location. doug also provided extensive notes that were ghostwritten by ward into full articles for "piercing fans international quarterly" ("pfiq"), the first magazine devoted to the subject of body piercing, a gauntlet publication.