1966 (Dec 8) Sales at All-Time High for Nissen Panelite Mats & Employee Profile: Rodney Jones

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

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!"

Vol. 3 #3 (March 1961) The "Bounce" Returns - And Boy, Have We Been Busy!

A full 17-months have passed since the last (Oct-Nov 1959) Nissen Trampoline Company was published! Apparently things were so busy at the company during this time period that not one person could be spared to keep the newsletters going!

So, this "catch-up" issue covers a lot of major events beginning with... a brand new factory building!

It featured a large glass fronted gymnasium which doubled as a show-room, 80,000 square feet of factory floor space and plenty of office area. Even though several expansions had been added on to the old location at 200 A. Avenue NW (built shortly after WW II) additional space was still needed and several departments were housed in other rented buildings.

Now finally, everything was housed under one roof.

Then, midway through 1960, my father acquired the Fred Medart Products, Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri. Besides gymnastics apparatus, the 88-year old business handled all types of gymnasium equipment such as basketball backstops, conditioning equipment, mats and a variety of physical education supplies. The  Nissen Trampoline Company was positioning itself to be ready to sell 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.

In October of 1960, the Nissen Trampoline Company filed with the S.E.C. to have 85 thousand shares of common stock for public sale. Within months there were 500 stockholders holding shares averaging thirteen dollars. Following the company Christmas party there were 200 more stockholders which started 1961 off with a total of 700!

Interesting thought... the management of the Landers Corporation who posed with my father in the photo below probably had no idea just how big their new contract with Nissen's would prove to be! They were the suppliers of a new and tough vinyl - - one that my father selected to replace the canvas traditionally used for trampoline pads and tumbling mats. Around two months prior to the move into the new building, he had designed a brand new, unique light-weight mat that could be folded up into eight panels and had Velcro attachments that could create short or long tumbling strips. He chose to use the new vinyl as a covering.

Today, versions of his original blue-and-tan Panelite mats can still be found in dance studios, gym clubs and YMCAs around the world!

Under the auspices of the USA-USSR cultural exchange agreement (also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961) the Russian Olympic gymnastic team accepted an invitation to visit the United States. Their stop in Iowa was a combined sponsorship by the Nissen Company, the American Athletic Union and the University of Iowa Phi Epsilon Kappa honor fraternity.

The Russian's arrival in Cedar Rapids on January 15, 1961 captured the entire city's attention. Following a red carpet welcome at the airport the team held a practice session in the new Nissen gymnasium and spent a few hours shopping in downtown Cedar Rapids.

The Nissen Company arranged for a short film to be made documenting the visit by the Russians

 which includes their practice session and the evening show!

George Nissen and Albert Azaryan                                                           Judy Wills      

The evening demonstration of Olympic caliber gymnastics in the Coe College gym was to a packed house of 3,000 with 700 having to be turned away for lack of seating. The program included trampoline demonstrations by Gary Erwin, Ed Cole, Larry Snyder and Bill Osterlund. Twelve year old tumbling sensation Judy Wills, from Mississippi stole the show! 

Now comes the page of employee news, 17-months worth!...which they somehow managed to include all on this one page! Courageous readers wading in will be rewarded however with the mention of many familiar names and interesting updates.

It can be agreed, that the Nissen Trampoline Company has successfully moved into their next

decade of business.

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!"