There is no doubt that the exhilaration reaped from leaping carefree through the air was fuel for the acrobatic attempts to bounce high in the air by humans throughout history. For centuries, the human desire to bounce has led to invention after invention in an attempt to create the perfect bounce. The making of the trampoline was preceded by several first attempts at airborne activity, such as the creation of the springboard.

The simple springboard enabled its user to bounce with more height and less effort than usual grounded gymnastic tricks. The springboard was soon altered into a device called ‘the leaps’, fashioned during the Middle ages for court jesters to perform on. It was made of a narrow plank of wood which was raised off the ground by polar supports at either end. A crude but perhaps apparent first attempt to construct, what we now know as, the trampoline.

However Circus-lore and hearsay indicate the first attempt at the creation of a more recognizable shaped trampoline to varying individuals; a French circus-man called Du Trampoline is said to have built the first trampoline gadget for his trapeze artists to rebound from their wires. The Eskimos has been credited for using Walrus skin to throw each other in the air. American gymnast George Nissen is also crowned as first developer. Whichever is correct, the principle of the trampoline remains similar throughout history, with materials and complexity alone changing.

Today, trampolines are made of four fundamental parts: springs, jumping mat or fabric, pads and tubing. A piece of robust, taut fabric is stretched over a frame made from tubing, and uses numerous coiled springs. These springs create the ricocheting force that enables a bouncer to gain height. The elasticity is supplied by the springs fixed to the steel tubing rather than the misconception that the jumping fabric is elastic.

At present, the springs are usually made by specialist spring manufacturers and are made to the specifications of the trampoline company. Over the springs and frame are the safety pads which are constructed out of foam and vinyl covers. Artificial woven fibers make up the jumping mat or fabric and are WV-protected to impede fading of its appearance during outdoor use. The tubing is normally made from galvanized steel, a protection from rust and outdoor conditions, and used to make the frame of the trampoline.

It takes about 80 people working an eight-hour shift in the trampoline factory to make 500 to 600 recreational trampolines. There are two types of trampolines with differing construction methods: the recreational trampoline and the competitive.

Recreational trampolines are made with less strength and toughness than competitive trampolines as their springs are often slightly weaker. Their user thus cannot jump with the height produced by a competitive trampoline. They are produced in differing sizes and shapes, with circular and rectangular being the most popular of shapes. The fabric used to make the jumping mat is usually waterproof canvas due to the often outdoor environment in which they are purchased. The large array of sizes has led to the small, usually round, trampolines called trampettes which are often used to improve physical fitness. Although they do not give the height of rebound of a larger or competitive trampoline, trampettes are perfect for exercises with low impact on joints.

A competitive trampoline is far stronger and contains a larger number of springs for endurance and to aid increased height whilst jumping. It is developed in a uniform size and shape in order to adhere to even rules. Its frame can be folded up for transportation to events which is essential for competitors who often participate in varying competitions around the world. The jumping mat is usually crafted with specially designed fabric; for example in the 2007 World Championships held in Quebec City, a two string jumping mat, or a ‘ross’, was used. This adaption gives added height to its user.



Author Bio:
Trampolinesfirst.com is one of the Leading Trampoline Websites in the UK and a brand name of TCW Plc a successful on-line and mail order retailer.