Few People Know That Iowa Is The Birthplace Of The Trampoline
By Raymond Goldfield|Published August 05, 2022
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Raymond Goldfield
Author
Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
It’s an essential part of summer fun – bouncy, exciting, and just a little bit dangerous. Who hasn’t spent some time bouncing on a trampoline as a kid – or a kid at heart? But few people know that the trampoline was actually invented right here in Iowa City, making it one of the most famous Iowa inventions of all time. Created out of necessity by athletes and turning into a recreation sensation, the trampoline has become an institution. Let’s turn the clock back and look at the history of this high-impact invention.
Who's ready to bounce? The trampoline has become a staple of American backyards and theme parks - and it all started in Iowa.
Trampoline-like devices date back much longer than the actual trampoline, with groups of people using blankets to toss people in the air for fun and sport.
But in 1936, gymnast George Nissen and tumbler Larry Griswold were attending the University of Iowa when they decided there had to be a better way - and the trampoline was born.
The original trampoline used a stretched-out piece of canvas to provide bounce, but that's been replaced with a carefully-woven mat that contains thousands of strands for maximum flexibility.
Spaceball might not have taken off, but trampolines became an essential part of gymnastics training, and synchronized trampolining became an official sport!
But there's nothing like the thrill of bouncing on your own home trampoline and feeling like you're flying. Thanks, George, and Larry, for this Iowa original! Play safe!
What are your memories of the trampoline? Whether you’ve bounced in the backyard or enjoyed an epic trampoline park, let us know in the comments section. If you’re interested in learning about some more famous Iowa inventions, check out this surprising list. If you’re looking for the ultimate Iowa trampoline adventure, check out this wild trampoline park.
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