The idea of tossing people into the air is centuries-old, but modern trampolines weren’t invented until the 20th century. Who invented the first trampolines, and what inspired them to make these devices for bouncing?
Read on to learn more about trampoline history and who created the first trampoline. Its different uses throughout the decades may surprise you!
Early Trampoline-Like Devices
An early form of the trampoline was used by the Inuit people for the spring celebration of their whale harvests. They would toss dancers into the air on walrus skins, one at a time. Several instances of early trampolining were also recorded in Europe, where people would be tossed upward using a blanket.
Some of the first trampoline-like nets were used by firefighters in 1887 to catch people jumping out of burning buildings. While none of these are necessarily the predecessors of modern recreational trampolines, they do show that the idea of bouncing people off fabric has existed for centuries.
Another early use of the trampoline can be traced back to the 19th century, when Pablo Fanque’s Circus Royal boasted of a circus performer who used a trampoline. However, it’s believed that this circus “trampoline” was simply a basic springboard, with little similarity to the device made of canvas and metal springs used today.
Who Invented The First Modern Trampoline?
Larry Griswold and George Nissen invented the first modern-day trampoline in 1936. Griswold was a tumbler and gymnastics coach for the University of Iowa, while George Nissen was one of the school’s gymnastics competitors. After seeing trapeze artists use a net in their performances, Nissen and Griswold made a “bouncing rig” out of old rubber tires and steel.
This new invention was meant simply to help the university’s gymnastics team program. But when they discovered it was entertaining in its own right, they made improvements that would make their trampoline safer and bouncier for jumping.
The first modern-day trampoline was made from an early canvas bed attached to an angle iron frame with coiled springs. George Nissen called it a trampoline after the Spanish word “trampolin”, which meant “diving board”.
The two men later founded the Griswold-Nissen Trampoline and Tumbling Company in 1942. They began the commercial production of their trampolines in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that year.
Though the generic term for the trampoline was “rebound tumbler”, the term has since fallen out of favor. The device is simply known as the “trampoline” today, after its trademark.
The Trampoline As A Training Device
Because trampolines were so useful for developing physical fitness, balance, and stamina, they were quickly adapted to train pilots and astronauts. The United States Navy Flight School used trampolines in World War II to help its navigators and pilots with spatial orientation.
The use of the trampoline in space training was largely due to George Nissen. Near the end of the Second World War, he befriended Scott Carpenter, a pilot who’d undergone trampoline training. Carpenter later became one of the Mercury 7 astronauts, and the two men eventually developed Spaceball.
Spaceball was a game created to help astronauts condition for space travel. Later, both Russia and the U.S. used trampolines in their space program training so astronauts could adapt to different body orientations in space.
Trampolines are still used today to help athletes improve their acrobatic skills for other sports, such as diving and gymnastics. It is especially popular for gymnastic use as it often offers a safer landing surface for drills.
The Development Of Commercial Trampoline Parks
Outdoor jump centers quickly became popular in the 1950s and ’60s, where people could have fun bouncing on commercial trampolines.
The trampoline park has recently made a comeback in the 21st century, with jump centers opening all over the country.
Fun Factoid: Akrobat builds some of the most incredible trampoline parks in the world!
These indoor trampoline parks are equipped with padded walls and wall-to-wall trampolines to reduce injuries from impact.
Trampolining As A Competitive Sport
Terence Blake of Nissen organized the first Trampoline World Championships in 1964 in London, with Americans Judy Cline and Dan Millman winning first place.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette coach Jeff Hennessy became one of the earliest advocates for competitive trampoline sports. He later went on to coach the United States Trampoline Team and produced more world champions from that team than any other coach.
Trampolining has been part of the Olympic Games since 2000. In competitive trampolining, athletes bounce on a trampoline while performing acrobatic routines. Competitive trampolines are also used in two other competitive sports: Bossaball (a form of volleyball) and Slamball (similar to basketball).
FAQs About Trampoline History
Is it safe to jump on a modern-day trampoline?
Yes, it’s is considered to be safer to jump on a well built modern trampoline such as the Akrobat Primus In-Ground if you take the necessary precautions. The addition of a safety net can keep kids from accidentally landing on or falling off the edge.
To reduce the chances of an injury, consider getting an in-ground trampoline. Because it’s level with the ground, its falling distance is reduced. This makes it safer to jump on.
What should I do to avoid getting injured on trampolines?
The following tips will help you avoid getting injured on trampolines:
- Only let one person at a time jump on the trampoline: While it seems fun to bounce around with a friend, there’s a chance you can knock into each other and get hurt.
- Don’t do somersaults: Without proper training, you can land on your head or neck when doing flips and other acrobatic tricks.
- Empty your pockets and remove accessories and jewelry before bouncing: These items can come loose while jumping and could potentially cause injuries.
- Consider installing in-ground trampolines instead of traditional ones: Traditional trampolines are set at least three feet off the ground, so falling off them can result in injuries like sprains or broken bones. In-ground types are level with the ground, reducing the impact when you fall. This makes them safer even without an additional safety net enclosure.
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