George Nissen

He had seen circus trapeze artists use their safety nets as an elastic bed to rebound and perform additional tricks.In 1934, Nissen and his coach, Larry Griswold, built the prototype trampoline from angle iron with a canvas bed and rubber springs.After he had graduated in Business Studies in 1937, Nissen and two friends toured the United States of America and Mexico performing at fairs and carnivals.World Trampoline Championship at the Albert Hall, London in March 1964, which was commemorated by a stamp featuring Judy Wills, who became the first woman's champion and defended that title a further 7 times.Spaceball, which he invented, was his pet love and he sponsored the Nissen trophy for the first UK National champion, won by Nick Proctor in 1963.
George Nissen and other players demonstrating Spaceball in Paris in 1965
gymnastinventortrampolinetrampoliningBlairstown, IowaUniversity of IowaWashington High SchoolCedar Rapids, IowaPi Kappa AlphaLarry GriswoldcarnivalsSpanishtrademarkedGriswoldpilotsSoviet Unionrebound tumblingTed Blakegeneric trademarkUnited States Tumbling & Trampoline AssociationNissen-Emery AwardOlympic Games2000 Summer OlympicsSydneyDian NissenBeijing2008 Summer OlympicsSan DiegopneumoniaLos Angeles TimesMcDonell, TerrySports Illustrated