George Nissen

George Peter Nissen was an American gymnast and inventor, born on February 3, 1914, and passed away on April 7, 2010. He is best known for developing the modern trampoline, turning it into a popular sport and fun activity enjoyed around the world.

Nissen’s idea for the trampoline came from watching circus performers bounce on beds of springs. He worked with a manufacturer to create a safe and practical design, which led to the first proper trampolines.

Thanks to Nissen, trampolining grew from a simple idea into a sport with organized competitions, gym classes, and recreational use. His invention has brought joy and exercise to people of all ages, making it a common feature in homes, schools, and gyms.

Background

George Nissen was born on February 3, 1914, in Blairstown, Iowa. He loved gymnastics and won three NCAA championships while studying at the University of Iowa. During high school, he attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and was part of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

George saw circus artists using safety nets to bounce and perform tricks. He thought this would be a great training tool. In 1934, he and his coach, Larry Griswold, built the first trampoline using angle iron, a canvas bed, and rubber springs. George used it for his training and to entertain kids at summer camp. After finishing his studies in 1937, he traveled with friends, performing at fairs and carnivals. In Mexico, he learned the word trampolín, meaning springboard in Spanish, and later used it for his invention. In 1941, he and Griswold started the Griswold-Nissen Trampoline & Tumbling Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Career

During World War II, the trampoline was used to help train pilots by getting them used to moving in the air. After the war, George Nissen continued to promote trampolines. He traveled to Europe and the Soviet Union to show people his trampolines and a sport called "rebound tumbling".

In 1956, Nissen opened a factory in England to make trampolines. The factory moved a few times but eventually closed in the 1980s when other companies began making similar equipment. Even though his company stopped, Nissen kept helping the sport grow. In 1971, he helped start the United States Tumbling & Trampoline Association. There are awards named after him, like the Griswold-Nissen Cup and the Nissen-Emery Award. He also helped start the first World Trampoline Championship in London in 1964.

Later years

George Nissen stayed busy making trampolines for exercise and a fun game called space ball, which is like volleyball but played on trampolines.

He always dreamed of seeing trampolining in the Olympic Games, and it finally happened at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. At 86 years old, he went to watch with his daughter Dian Nissen, who was a champion trampoline athlete. He also went to the 2008 Summer Olympics, where he got to try out the Olympic trampoline before the competition.