subject: Where Do Trampolines Come From? [print this page] Where Do Trampolines Come From? Where Do Trampolines Come From?
Have you ever been curious where trampolines come from?
It is interesting to note that the general principle behind the modern trampoline has been around for much of human history. Centuries ago, in Alaska, Inuits supposedly used animal skins to throw each other up into the air, and it has been documented that as early as the 1400's, similar play, this time taking advantage of large blankets, was observed in Europe.
However, it wasn't until 1936 that a couple men who worked with the circus invented the device that we see today. The first trampoline consisted of a taut, woven fabric stretched over a steel frame and secured through the use of coiled springs (which is actually where the flexibility of the bed of the trampoline comes from.) The two men, Larry Griswold and George Nessen, went on to form the Griswold-Nessen Trampoline and Tumbling Company, which began to commercially produce trampolines in 1943. Though the device was originally called a "rebounding tumbler", Nessen eventually coined the name "trampoline" from the Spanish word trampolin, which means "diving board."
Over the years, the trampoline has survived and thrived with the same essential design that its creators first introduced, although the materials of course vary slightly due to advancements in the technology used to the make the simple fabrics and steel support frame. As cheap as they are to produce, a trampoline is an easy purchase for most families that are looking for an alternative way to get a little exercise. Some of the larger models can cost several hundred dollars, but smaller models - called mini-trampolines - are often found in homes around the world, as they can be easily stored and quickly accessed at a moment's notice.
The larger trampolines - typically rectangular and about 98 square feet - are also used competitively; since 2000, trampolining has been an Olympic event, and there are even some off-the-wall extreme sports that have been developed with the use of a trampoline, such as Bossaball and Slamball. The popularity of trampolines has even led some dedicated people to set some crazy records, including the longest slam-dunk as well as a 1986 record that was set when 6-men spent 53 consecutive days jumping on a trampoline.
It's also not uncommon to find a large trampoline in your neighbor's backyard, and the affordable pricing of some of the commercial brands make them an easy acquisition for just about anyone. For those of you who decide to purchase one of your own, make sure you have a large enough area where the trampoline will be well away from obstacles such as trees or other play areas, as an unexpected flying body would surely put a damper on the best of parties! In addition, it's best if only one person at a time uses the device, and children under 6 should not be allowed on at all.
In short, trampolines are a great, inexpensive way to creatively lose those few extra pounds.
