Who Invented the Trampoline?
The trampoline today serves a rather versatile role in quite a number of fields including sports and entertainment. But you have to ask yourself “how did all of this begin?” How could something as simple and yet effective as the trampoline come to be?
The answer to that question, along with a good chunk of the history of the device, can be traced back to one man: George Peter Nissen.
Origins
George Nissen was born in Blairstown at Iowa on February 3, 1914. As a child, George had a knack for athletics. He was quite nimble and agile which made him a perfect fit for gymnastics. Eventually, George would make a name for himself as an amateur gymnast at his local high school and at the University of Iowa, even winning some local and interstate competitions. Aside from launching himself to the air perfectly, Nissen also had a fascination for swimming and was a member of his high school’s diving team.
However, it wasn’t until 1930 that would plant the seed for George’s invention. The then 16-year-old George went to see a travelling circus at Cedar Rapids, Iowa and noticed how the trapeze artists would go about their routines. From climbing to their positions to performing their stunts and even ending their performances with a free fall at the net below, George noticed something.
Each routine was challenging and awe-inspiring but there is more that could be done to make them even better. He took specific notice at the safety net and how the performers seemingly “bounced” off it. At that point, he realised that that same concept could be used to make their performances even more spectacular.
Early Days
Strapping a sheet of canvas to a steel frame at his parents’ garage, George would come up with a rudimentary bouncing rig. Together with his University gymnastics coach, Larry Griswold, George would continue to refine his device specifically on the degree of “bounce” it gives for each jumper. First, George would used tyre tubes for his devices but these would eventually be replaced with the now standard coil springs.
But converting his idea into a functional machine was just part of the challenge. George would have to prove that it actually works. After graduating from his Business degree, George and his friends would tour across America and Mexico featuring, of course, the invention at many of their performances at fairs and carnivals.
While in Mexico, George would also visit local pools and swimming tournaments. It was there that he found out that the Spanish for Springboard (another launching device that George might have drawn inspiration from, too) was “Trampolin”. Adding an E at the end, George would have his invention trademarked as the Trampoline. And thus, the Trampoline as we know today made its official commercial debut. George had invented the trampoline.
Rising Popularity
Nissen and Griswold would continue to tour across the Americas, selling their trampolines whilst also featuring them in many of their performances. Eventually, with sales reaching a certain high, the duo would form the Griswold-Nissen Trampoline & Tumbling Company at Cedar Rapids.
As with a lot of products, the trampoline would find some use in the American war effort of World War II. In fact, the Air Force bought loads of them to help train their pilots in orienting themselves in the air.
It was also at this point that George started conceptualising a sport based on the trampoline itself which he called “Rebound Tumbling”. When the War ended, Nissen would tour across Europe (and even the Soviet Union) to promote both his device and the sport around it. He would also help set up other trampoline manufacturing companies in London during that time, many of which continued to exist well beyond the late 21st century.
However, with popularity comes imitations. Nissen realised that many manufacturers started popping up and offering their own versions of the trampoline. Weirdly enough, these manufacturers got around the trademark by insisting on the fact that the word “trampoline” has become a generic word for rebound and tumbling devices. With too much competition, Nissen’s very own company would cease operations in the 1980s.
Legacy
Despite the business end of things eventually winding down, Nissen continued to be a presence in the world of trampolines and gymnastics for the rest of his life. In 1971, he and Griswold would collaborate again to form the United States Tumbling and Trampoline Association which would serve as the official authority for trampolines in the US from thereon. Furthermore, the USTA would honour outstanding gymnasts and trampolinists with the Griswold-Nissen Cup in honor of its founders.
George would also sponsor the World’s 1st Trampoline Championship at the Albert Hall in London in 1964 and continued to involve himself in the further development of the device. Aside from Rebound Tumbling, Nissen would also develop another sport called Spaceball. The name might sound futuristic but it is just really a game of volleyball played while tumbling and rebounding on large trampolines. This would actually revive interest in the device following a string of controversies in the 1960s due to safety issues.
In his later years, George would push for the inclusion of trampolining in the Olympics. This would finally happen at the 2000 Olympics at Sydney where the Trampoline made its official Olympic debut. The first country to ever bag gold medals in trampolining was, surprisingly enough, Russia i.e. the former Soviet Union that he donated several of his trampolines to in the 1950s. He would remain a presence in the Olympic community, personally inspecting the trampolines to be used at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
Finally, on April 7, 2010, George Nissen died at San Diego, California at the age of 96 following complications from Pneumonia.
How has Trampoline Design Changed Through the Years?
And while on the subject of the man himself, it is also a good idea to understand how his invention as the modern trampolines are a far cry to their older counterparts.
- The Development Years
The bouncing rig, the prototype George built on his parent’s garage, had the appearance of a life net used by firefighters to catch jumpers from a burning building while having the same functionality as a springboard used in swimming pools. The mat itself was made from canvas which was prone to rupturing after several bounces.
During World War II, when the trampoline was used to train pilots, the canvass mat would be replaced with nylon webbing which is the same material used for parachute straps. The material was far more resilient than canvas and had considerable resistance, resulting in larger bounces.
From the 1950s onwards, design improvements focused less on bigger bounces and more on safety. It was also at this time that Nissen and his company faced a lot of backlash following a string of accidents wherein jumpers where injured from using the trampoline. Thus, features like safety nets around the edges, foam paddings, and even rudimentary enclosures were included to prevent jumpers from making contact with the springs upon landing or flying off completely from the mat.
- The Competitive Years
During the 1970s, George started campaigning for trampolining to be recognised as a sport while also introducing Spaceball. Thus, the design of the trampoline had to undergo significant changes to meet competitive standards. A major change done during these years was the introduction of the steel frame. The material allows for the production of trampolines that can endure tremendous amounts of repeated stress.
Mobility also became a focal point in the late 21st century. As such, features like folding frames, detachable wheels, and easy assembly were included in many trampoline designs.
It was also at this time that the sizing standards were introduced. Consumers basically, got the chance to pick from different diameter sizes, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Mini-trampoline would also make its debut at this period, catering specifically to both solo and professional jumpers as well as families with small children.
- The Modern Years
By the time the 2000s started, trampoline design shifted from major changes to incremental refinements. Some companies are experimenting with polycarbonate frames which are lighter and more durable than steel but cheaper to produce. Some would also focus on UV exposure and thus added protective screening into their products.
As for the trampoline itself, the device would find itself embedded into newer forms of athletics and leisure. The 2000s saw the rise of the sport known as Parkour or Free-running and the trampoline would become a favorite launching device for many professionals in the sport. It would even become vital for other conventional sports like basketball especially with the NBA’s regular Trick Shot Challenge segments.
To Sum it All Up….
The existence and continued relevance of the trampoline can be all traced back to one man’s desire to jump higher. George Nissen’s continuing desire to see people launch themselves several meters into the air has given rise to an industry that has embedded itself in the field of athletics, military service, entertainment, leisure, and others.
And even with Nissen’s passing in 2010, interest in the trampoline has continued to increase in recent years. With that said, it is safe to say that the device and its industry will continue to grow by leaps and bounds. Pun intended.
