Vol. 3 #4 (Oct 1961) Introducing Nissen PANELITE Mats

     Excitement continues this month for George Nissen and the employees of the Nissen Trampoline Company - - as field testing officially kicks-off for both the new chrome line of gymnastics apparatus and the revolutionary Panelite mats.

     Too bad we can't travel back in time to assure everyone involved that not only would the new designs be well accepted but the Nissen reputation for quality and durability created a loyal fan base around the world. Even now over fifty years later, original Nissen equipment is still in use!

                  Note: The name Panelite wasn't used until 1964 when the patent was issued. Until then these mats went by the simple name: "Nissen Tumbling Mats." 

    Chrome was on everyone's mind as my father showed off the factory's new chrome plating tanks to the members of the American Electro-Plating Society.

     This page also references the Russian Olympic gymnast's visit to Cedar Rapids earlier in January, 1961.

     It was a sure bet that field testing of the new chrome line of gymnastics apparatus took place at New Trier High School in Chicago under the supervision of distinguished coach Giallombardo. My father and Joe Giallombardo (Joe "G") knew each other from their university days; Joe was both a gymnast and tumber for Illinois and won the Big 10 tumbling titles in 1938, 39 & 40. This LINK is the bio of Joe's athletic accomplishments, but I like this LINK better as it describes the kind, friendly Joe "G" that I remember.

Moving into a new factory is only fun if you can drive up to it! This page shares some humor towards a "mucky" situation.

Do these newsletters spark a memory?

I invite you to share your own stories and comments below.

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"Nissen's - - a great place to work!"

Nissen News SPECIAL: Do You Rebound Tumble?

 

     Just do a little research on the topic of TRAMPOLINE and you’re bound to bump into the term REBOUND TUMBLING. As in, “…the trampoline, also known as rebound tumbling.” Well, nobody I know calls their trampoline a rebound tumbler, so what gives?

     Back in 1959, a legal battle took place between the Nissen Trampoline Company and the American Trampoline Company over the use of the name trampoline. The argument being that the word “Trampoline” was the registered trademark of Nissen’s and therefore could not be used as a general term by companies like American who Nissen believed were cashing in on the popularity of the new sport. In addition, trampoline could not be used as the name of the sport.  

     A two-year period followed during which, anyone writing about the sport, establishing a name for their competition or even posting results used the suggested replacement term:  rebound tumbling.  

     It was an awkward two years to say the least, with more than a few coaches and athletes voicing their opinions!

     By the time the bitter lawsuit concluded, with the judge declaring the term “trampoline” generic and in the public domain…the term “rebound tumbling” had left its telltale fingerprint everywhere.  Even to this day, it is easy to identify books, competitions and articles written between 1959 and 1961 as authors did their best to tiptoe around the nasty battle.

Does this blog post spark a memory?

Please share your own stories and comments below.

Vol. 3 #7 (Sept 1961) Meet Nissen's Research & Development Gang & the Iconic Photo!

For the employees at the Nissen Trampoline Company, 1960-1961 must have passed by in a  blur! Things were happening so quickly that not all made it into the bi-monthly newsletters.

I'll fill in with a few highlights.

My father successfully staged a photo session of himself bouncing on a trampoline with a kangaroo! The photo not only appeared in newspapers around the world, it also became THE iconic photo used forever to capture the image of "George Nissen."

Network television executives snapped up an idea pitched to them by Bud Beyer, head of Nissen's Publicity, Promotion and Public Relations. In 1960, Jackie Gleason's "Sunday Sport's Spectacular with Putter and Cue" featured a synchronized trampoline production number with female bouncers on 12 trampolines. It was so popular that a similar show was staged for Bob Hope's "Buick Sports Award Show" on NBC, February 15, 1961.

Finally, Nissen's began chroming their trampolines and gymnastics apparatus. The innovation stemmed from my father's desire to not only have safe, reliable and durable apparatus, but to have it be appealing to the eye as well. The plating tanks, valued at two-hundred thousand dollars, were one of the largest nickel-chrome-plating tanks in the Midwest.

Here we meet the men responsible for bringing my father's dreams and many doodles on

paper napkins into reality; the "R & D guys."

These next few pages are filled with employee news; sports awards, new folks in the factory and the annual Company Picnic!

Do you have memories of the Nissen Trampoline Company? 

Please share your stories and comments below.

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"Nissen's - - a great place to work!"

Vol 3 #6 (Aug 1961) Nissen Welcomes MEDART and National Association of Accountants

1961 is proving to be a very big year for the Nissen Trampoline Company, with visitors

arriving from near and far.

First, the Russian gymnasts toured through, followed closely by the Japanese. Last month, all of the Nissen sales representatives showed up to learn about the new products and now, the former Fred Medart sales group was in Cedar Rapids to meet their new owner...George Nissen.

Back Story:

                        Besides gymnastics apparatus, the 88-year old Medart brand handled all types of
                        gymnasium equipment, mats and a variety of P.E. education supplies. Nissen  Co.
                       was positioning itself to be ready to sell a full range of gymnasium equipment
                       to schools across the country, who in turn were expanding their facilities to handle
                       the first wave of Baby Boomers just reaching school age.
   
One interesting fellow who walked in through the front door was professional trampoline performer, Dick Albershardt!  He was making quite a name for himself on the show circuit, and had a special request for my father: his current 5' x 10' trampoline had become too cumbersome for overseas travel. George Nissen's solution? He produced a frame that could be broken down into 14 separate pieces, and could fit into 7 suitcases to be shipped anywhere and...quickly rebuilt by Dick before each show!

A growing business needs more employees...and so many were coming on board folks were having a hard time recognizing each other!

Here's a little good humor from the women in the Sewing Room who, "Sew the frame pads for people who miss the bed!"

A page of Nissen employee "newsy-news."

Gone are the days when employee's vacation locations are published in the company newsletter. Here we find 26 Nissen employees scattered around the USA and Canada!

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!"