The desire to jump and be free from gravity is an age-old wish of mankind and
can be traced back to archaeological drawings. Someone who has helped us
improve "the art of jumping" in current times is George Nissen, credited with
having invented the modern-day trampoline in the 1930's. George even devised
the word trampoline to describe his apparatus by taking the Spanish word “trampolin,” which means diving board, and anglicizing it.
Inventor, entrepreneur, businessman, and holder of over 40 patents relating to
sports and fitness equipment, George continues to innovate throughout his life.
In 1940, George Nissen produced the first portable trampoline for use in
schools and other institutions. During the 1960’s his company, the Nissen Corporation became the world's largest manufacturer of
trampolines and gymnasium apparatus. After purchasing the Universal Gym
Equipment Company, his new venture Nissen-Universal continued leadership in the
health club arena.
The sport of trampoline has grown to include the first trampoline World
Championships held in 1964, to its debut as an Olympic sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
Along with his passion for bouncing, George had a desire to continue his idea of
“a game on the trampoline.” In the 1960’s he even developed a trampoline game called Spaceball, which continues to be a popular addition to many family backyards today.
During his retirement years, George returned to his original passion for the
trampoline and began a new project that allowed him to continue feeling the joy
of bouncing on a trampoline, but on something small enough that his 82-year old
body could easily get on and off of. His original institutional design named Health Bounce® was light years ahead of the current rebounder industry. An innovative consumer
home version was then developed called Health Bounce® Light, which allows anyone who grew up enjoying the fun bounce of the original
trampoline during their youth, the second chance to jump, be free of gravity
and “feel like a kid again!”
