Indiana Jones is a character who is just as quirky as he is an icon of cinema, including his unorthodox favoring of a whip over a gun. Making his first appearance in 1981’s Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Henry “Indiana” Jones (Harrison Ford) is a professor of archaeology-turned-action-hero who often finds himself in over his head in the pursuit of rare antiquities. Since Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Indiana Jones has become an instantly recognizable movie character, from his well-loved fedora and brown leather jacket to his branding of a bullwhip as his weapon of choice.

His love for using his whip is established before Indiana Jones even shows his face on the screen in Raiders Of The Lost Ark. From that point on, the whip becomes an essential aspect of Indiana Jones’ character. However, despite the prevalent featuring Indiana’s beloved whip, it’s not obvious why Indy chooses...