The modern trampoline is not as old as you might think. After observing trapeze artists performing flips and tricks on a stretched safety net below the trapeze, George Nissen had the idea to create a bouncing bed from a stretched piece of fabric to help him train for his gymnastics tumbling.
With the help of his coach, Larry Griswold, the two decided to experiment with stretched canvas, grommets and coil springs in the mid-1930s to create their own bouncing platform. Nissen and Griswold were both gymnasts and wanted to add some entertainment to their performances along with helping them train for competitive events. While touring with their new invention in Mexico, Nissen overheard the Spanish word for diving board, el trampolin, used to describe the apparatus and he decided to use an anglicized form as a trademark. Throughout the years, the trampoline has been used by entertainers, athletes, the military and even astronauts for everything from training to competition.
Since its invention, safety has been greatly improved through materials, design and the actual layout of the site that a trampoline is used. Though the company that George and Larry started in 1942, Griswold-Nissen Trampoline & Tumbling Company, has long been sold, there is still one American company designing and producing trampolines in the United States.
Since 1978, the Best American Trampolines, Inc. of Texas has been manufacturing trampolines by American workers, using American sourced raw materials. The current trampoline product line-up includes five models ranging in size from 9’x15’ to 10’x17’, plus a sixth model designed for in-ground installation. All of their trampolines are constructed using galvanized steel tubing for the frames, #1 grade Permatron trampoline material and utilize thick, vinyl covered pads. As a bonus, the pads can be reversed to allow the user to flip the safety pads over for twice the life.
The Best American Trampoline company is a family owned business who truly cares about the products that they produce and expect that they will have many years of outdoor use. Each frame has a lifetime warranty; the fabric has a three year warranty; the stitching has a two year warranty and the pads; and springs each have one year warranties. All of their trampolines can ordered ‘factory direct’ so if you have any questions or concerns they can be directed straight to the people who are in charge of producing the product that you receive.
Not only does the Best American Trampoline company produce their standard line of trampolines, but they also offer replacement beds and pads for all rectangle trampolines produced. If they do not have your pattern on file, simple follow their measuring instructions and they create a customized quote for your tired trampoline to get you bouncing like new. If you need new springs, they sell those too!
Having their designers in-house allows them to also create customized solutions. Not only does Best American Trampoline create individual trampolines, but they also design and manufacture trampolines for ‘jump centers’. These jump centers are indoor facilities consisting of multiple trampolines allowing many people to bounce at once or one person to bounce and flip on multiple beds…even ones mounted on the walls!
If a trampoline purchase is in your future, bounce on over to Best American Trampolines to checkout their line of quality, American made trampolines.