1964 (August 13) A Parade of Visitors: Trampoline Clowns, Gymnasts & V.I.P.s

With all the newsy-news, parties and practical jokes reported in this August 1964, newsletter, you'd think everyone at the Nissen Corporation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was taking it easy!  

Not so.

Trampolines and gymnastics equipment continued to ship out to destinations around the world and 

V.I.P.'s continued to drop-by with their own "special orders."

The flexibility came by way of George Nissen's easy-going management style that encouraged a friendly cooperative workplace. Nissen's was truly one big happy family!

     The photo above captures a couple of familiar fellows. Elite-level gymnastics coach Dick Zuber, who went on to become Education Director for the Nissen Corporation. Then there is Tim Phillips, former outstanding gymnast at Temple University who joined Nissen's to handle the East Coast Sales. I've included a special photo below of Tim and his father Chet Phillips; a well-respected champion and coach.

     As a young twelve year old girl, my biggest bragging rights at school were not only that I was on a first name basis with champion gymnasts and trampolinists... but, that real Ringling Brothers Circus clowns stopped by our home to visit! Every summer various circus acts made a side trip to the factory and hauled in an assortment of homemade contraptions. Besides providing repairs, my father even arranged to have their equipment dipped into the chroming tanks for a shiny finish! 

     One of my favorite clown-friends was Cucciolo, a famous little person who performed a comedy trampoline act. He came to the U.S. from Italy, and even had a featured appearance in the 1952 film, "The Greatest Show on Earth." Cucciolo was greatly respected by his fellow artists and following his death in 1984, received a plaque on the Circus Ring of Fame in St. Arman's Circle, Sarasota, Florida.     

     Standing with Dick Zuber and Bus Klinge in a photo below is Ron Froehlich, from South Africa. He, along with Olle Aerborn and Ron Munn, were instrumental in the development of trampolining in South Africa including the 

South Africa Federation of Amateur Trampoline. 

Currently, Ron Froehlich holds the honor of President of International World Games Association. (I.W.G.A.). 

George Hery was also a popular guy at Nissen's, and we can see why!

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