|
|
|
Fishing in USA
Fishing as a sport and recreational activity is very popular in
the United States. It has been a traditional hobby of the
Americans as well as tourists in the USA. The Atlantic Ocean and
the Gulf of Mexico, including the many streams of water...
Great Danes - Their Origin And Temperament
The origin of Great Danes, like that of many other varieties of dogs, is so obscure that all researches have only resulted in speculative theories, but the undoubted antiquity of this dog is proved by the fact that representatives of a breed...
It's Fun To Make Useful Homemade Gizmos
It's fun and satisfying to design and then make simple items that serve some purpose. I find it very rewarding to conjure up designs out of my imagination and then build them using common tools and cheap or free materials. I've made all kinds of...
What Do Gladiators and the Weekend Warrior Have In Common?
Strip off the tie and grab your running shoes, golf clubs or baseball mitt! The weekend has arrived. You look forward to extra time on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy your favorite sport. And you probably cram in as much activity as possible before...
Why Packer Fans Wear Cheese Hats
I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but actually have lived most
of my life in Minnesota - so, even though technically I could
say I'm from Minnesota just from percentage of life lived in
that location, I fear I'm forever stained as being...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Do You Know How Trampolines Were Invented ?
Back in 1930, a young boy went to the circus with his
family. He was enthralled by the aerial acts, but more
than their in-air stunts, he was fascinated by the way they
dropped into the safety net after the act was over,
finishing off with flourishes as they bounced back into the
air.
That memory never left George Nissen of Iowa, who went on
to tumbling and diving exploits while in high school. The
sports gave him the same opportunity for artistic touches
and freedom of movement, although they ended either on a
hard floor, or in the water.
Still, when Nissen graduated at the age of 16, he took some
time off before university, to start tinkering in his
garage with the idea that had been simmering in his mind
since that visit to the circus- a bouncing "table", that
would put him back up into the air.
With the help of friends to weld the frame, and stretch
tent grade canvas on it, he soon had his first "bouncing
rig". Nissen then went off to college, but continued to
toy with the size and other aspects of design, eventually
taking one to summer camp where he worked. The rig was an
instant hit with the kids who would rather play on it, than
take a break from the sweltering heat by going swimming.
Nissen refined his
athletic skills at university, and after
he earned a degree, he and two other gymnasts formed the
Three Leonardos, a tumbling and balancing act that did
small town tours. While in Mexico, they swam at the Y
where they learned that the diving board was called "el
trampolin". Nissen anglicized the word to trampoline and
patented it for his new invention.
While their performances did result in orders, by the time
WWII broke out, Nissen had bought his partners shares in
the company. Then he went on to promote the device himself,
selling around 100 to military sources for training pilots
and parachutists.
Drumming up business in the post-war years was hard work,
but as before, performance was the key, and publicity
didn't hurt. A chance photograph that Nissen had taken of
himself and a kangaroo in mid-jump on the same trampoline,
became as famous around the world, as his invention would
become in the next few years.
About the Author
Paul Johnson works as a software developer, often working
long hours under great stress. He considers exercise
crucial to his health. When purchasing his own fintess
equipment he researched all available products. Now he's
written a series of useful articles on choosing (and using)
exercise equipment.
|
|
|
|
|
|