Big things are on the horizon for the Nissen Trampoline Company; and these next two years (1959 & 1960) will be full of challenges. Right now a lot is "brewing" behind the scenes. I enjoyed the detective work of matching photos to events, sort of reading between the lines...and I'll try to give you, the reader, as much help as I can along the way.
First we get to meet Gary Robertson who joined the company September 1, 1955. Working back in the factory he eventually moved up to "shipping," and now will join the accounting department. Gary stayed on for nearly 30 more years as a member of the big Nissen Trampoline Company family!
In last month's newsletter, Ted Blake addressed the need to maintain high quality products because competitors were knocking at the door. The first competitor that Nissen took on was the American Trampoline Company in Jefferson, Iowa. The lawsuit charged trademark infringement over their use of the word "trampoline" in their company name.
The Nissen Trampoline Company was doing its best to defend its patent; for instance, if you go back to Page 1, and look closely at the masthead you'll see an asterisk by TRAMPOLINE, linked to a notation at the bottom of the page. (A notation added to all future newsletters) They also put their faith in Owen Ooms (who won Duncan Yo-Yo's trademark case).
The "trampoline" trademark lawsuit lasted a full two years.
On the good news side of things, my father received a very special award from the
American Academy of Physical Education.
"For his contribution to gymnastic apparatus through development of the Trampoline which has become a major stimulus of the century to large muscle activity."
Page 3 is full of great names in trampoline and gymnastics!
Ed Cole - University of Michigan athlete who won first place in trampoline at the 1959 NCAA Championships, held in Berkeley, CA.
Coach Dick Holzaepfel - and members of the University of Iowa gym team.
Joe E. Brown - As a young boy back in the 1920s my father loved watching Joe E.'s vaudeville act; he thrilled audiences by jumping off the edge of the stage right into the orchestra pit, only to rebound up into view again. His secret was a barrel covered with stretched cloth and hidden in the orchestra pit below! The iconic photo captures my father meeting one of his "inspirations" for the trampoline.
Charles "Chuck" Keeney - A champion tumbler and diver from California who, when assigned to St. Mary's Navy Pre Flight school during WW2 saw the value of the then "new" trampoline and ordered 12 for the Navy from George Nissen's fledgling business. Chuck went on to a great coaching career as well as author his own book on the trampoline, published in 1961. Use this LINK to read more about Chuck's career in gymnastics.
I've added two photos that you'll enjoy.
Page 4 - Even though the back page is almost always devoted to employee news...
I did find a few hidden references that hint at future excitement for the company:
That of Harry Raygor creating space for the new weaving loom - - this secret one of a kind loom developed with the help of the Singer Company could sew straight across the trampoline bed with 100 needles, rather than the old one-needle system.
Then, a visit by Bob Wright and Howard Short to the Sawhill Tubular Products Company in Sharon, PA. - - in order to set up new contracts. My father's plans were slowly beginning to take shape; that of expanding beyond simply importing Gymport gymnastics apparatus, to eventually manufacturing his own Nissen line. More excitement in next month's issue!
Do these newsletters spark a memory? You are invited to share your own stories and comments below.
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"Nissen's - - a great place to work!"
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