posted by danny1985:
now why is that if its a proven fact you get a cleaner better shot using a release
... and you'll hit your buck out to 600 yards with a scoped rifle ...
You have to draw a line somewhere. I guess most will say that a release aid is a step to far and they just dont want to bother with such a device. I for one have in fact never handled one in all my archery done (>25yrs)!
But, as for your initial question, there were such things as you asked for - in the tournament world - far back in the 1940's. Here is a picture from ELMER (1952) depicting "clutches". You can even smoke on - if you use one! Gives a big doping advantage, not?!

I think they were used in flight shooting too, depending on regulations of course. They also used a leather tongue wrapped around the string instead of a mechanical device, to get a cleaner release ...