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Posts Tagged ‘Trampolines’

Inventor of the Trampoline George Nissen dead at 96|1914-2010, a device used for exercise and fun purpose across the world. In 1936 the first ever modern trampoline was built by Larry Griswold and George Nissen. Now after 74 years of glory he has now passed away on April 7. George was born in Iowa, Blairstow and was very keen on gymnastics.

Nissen was a keen gymnast from young age and won various championships which studying at University and High School. His coach was Larry Griswold. Later both of them worked together to build a modern trampoline. Nissen then travelled to Mexico performing carnivals, where he heard the word Trampolin which he then used for bouncy equipment. He then trademarked the word in English. He was building trampolines while touring which helped him promote his products and helped the trampolines sales to increase. After they saw the sales increase George and Larry opened up a trampoline company in Iowa called Griswold-Nissen Trampoline Tumbling Company.

They made huge profit when their products were bought by US government to train the pilots for Second World War. After the war Nissen travelled to Europe and Soviet Union to promote his products. Nissen also set up a small company in Essex, England in 1956 where trampolines were manufactured for many years. Since then his only wish was for trampolines to be part of Olympic Games.

Then in the Millenium Summer Olympic Nissens wish came true, when trampoline was a part of Olympic Games. In 2008 Summer Olympics George Nissen travelled to see the event to Beijing.

For several years Nissens company also worked in building trampolines of different sizes. 14ft trampolines, 12ft trampoline along with mini trampolines (which are caleld rebounders nowadays). All these were built for specific purpose, either for fun activities or fitness regime or for circuses etc. Safety was a problem with the trampolines but now all manufacturers are working in getting the safety right.