1979 (May) Nissen Employee Fitness Center (in Nissen Gym) Opens 3/14 ~ Nissen Men's Softball Team Scores a Win ~ Nissen Men's Bowling Team 3rd in League ~ Chuck Coker Visits Nissen-Universal~ Munn & Schultschick Visit Egypt

 

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

1978 (August) George Nissen Names Bob Bevenour as President ~ Nissen Continues to Produce Universal Weight Machines ~ Venezuelan Trampoline Team Visits Nissen ~

 

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

1976 (July) Pony Express Visits Nissen Mat Center - 4th World Age Group Games Athletes Visit Nissen Corporation

Link here to the special report and meet results of 4th World Age Group Games

over on the Trampoline History Blog!

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

1966 (Nov 17) Nissen Employees Celebrate "Paul Kridler Day"

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

1966 (Nov 10) Nissen Employee Profile: Paul Kridler

(Editor's Note: For photos of "Paul Kridler Day" go to issue Nov. 17, 1966)

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

Issue #23 (Jan. 1, 1959) Nissen Employees Enjoy Christmas Party

Christmas -1958- at the Nissen Trampoline Company!

This January issue begins with photos from the annual employee Christmas party. My father always enjoyed attending these, as this was one of the only occasions that he could see and thank everyone at once. The Nissen gang also enjoyed having a rare glimpse of George as well!

Those sewing tables where the trampoline beds were made sure were beautiful...notice the parquet wood inlays that were hand built  by the expert craftsmen back in the shop.

Ted Blake, Managing Director of Nissen Trampoline, Ltd. in England flew with his family to Cedar Rapids in order to join in on the Christmas party. The next day we all took off for Sarasota, Florida to be at the National Gymnastic Clinic. The clinic registration table over at Florisota Gardens counted 500 attendees. This 1958 clinic was one of the largest clinics yet. The next week was spent inside and out back of the Sarasota High School gym, a day at Lido Beach plus, the big exhibition/North-South meet held at the Municipal Auditorium.

A couple of quick photo comments:

Bud Beyer (below) ace tumbler from the late 1930s, was now teaching at the University of Chicago. Later, in 1961 he would join the Nissen Company as Director of Promotions & Public Relations. Here is a LINK to nice article about Bud Beyer.

 Paul Kridler - was my father's grade school P.E. teacher and was responsible for teaching Dad how to do a handstand! Years later, when Paul finally left the field of teaching, Dad hired him to work in sales and as a liaison with the national school associations.

Back in 1954, an unsupervised can of paint drippings caused a devastating fire to the factory. It took a full year for the business to rebuild and recover. So this recent second fire shook everyone up a bit. Luckily there was no serious damage...and everyone took it in stride.

Including poking a little fun at Dad (upper left photo).

Speaking of poking fun - - the newsletter editor took advantage of the holiday spirit by not only rattling off an immense amount of "newsy" updates on the Nissen gang...

but included quite a few humorous "quips" here and there, as well. 

I'm looking forward to posting the next (Feb. 1959) issue, as it's full of photos and events...

the Nissen gang picks up rhythm and 1959 will prove to be even more exciting

than last year was!

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!"

Issue #13 (March 1, 1958) Conventions and Clinics

Jim Norman, co-author with Frank LaDue of "Two Seconds of Freedom" returned to civilian life following a stint with the Coast Guard - stationed in Hawaii.

George hired Jim to take charge of the Nissen sales office in Canada. Of course,

before Jim found his way to Canada, George made sure Jim was included at a special trampoline clinic held in Gladbrook, Iowa. 

Here are some more great photos of George Nissen and Jim Norman, Bob Bevenour and

Art Kroening (who piloted the Mosquito airplane).

Don't miss the special article (bottom left of the page) on the world famous Dutch gymnast Klass Boot, and his son Klass Boot, Jr.

Klass, Jr. is given credit as the man who introduced the trampoline to Holland.

Now for the monthly fun newsy-news among the Nissen employees:

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!"

Issue #12 (Feb. 1, 1958) German Gymnasts Tour C.R. - The Nixons Get a Trampoline

Activities are picking up this month with twenty gymnasts from Germany touring the Nissen factory. A special gymnastic exhibition had been organized at nearbyUniversity of Iowa

with the assistance of Dick Holzaepfel.

George Nissen then flew to Chicago for the National Sporting Goods Dealer Show in Chicago...

on the "Mosquito Airlines" of course!

Wow! All that Vice-President Richard Nixon's daughters (Tricia & Julie) wanted for Christmas was their very own TRAMPOLINE!  Two weeks before Christmas, their wish was answered...

and the Nissen Trampoline Company received a special letter of thanks.

Also don't miss the write-up on Glen Sundby and his new Modern Gymnast magazine. George Nissen saw potential for the fledgling magazine and offered to buy 25,000 copies that would be sent to schools along

with a Nissen catalog.

Page 3: We meet Ida Edwards supervisor of the sewing department at Nissen's.

Page 4 is devoted to the Newsy-News among Nissen employees.

Don't miss the casual mention of Frank LaDue and Klass Boot (famous Dutch gymnast) incredible 15 trampoline shows in 15 day throughout Holland!

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!"



Issue #8 (Nov. 15, 1957) Introducing the Aqua Diver

Page 1: Look for the photo of PAUL KRIDLER and TED BLAKE (bottom left of page). 

Back in the 1920s, while Paul Kridler was a physical education teacher at Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids - - he taught young GEORGE NISSEN how to perform a handstand!  The same handstand that became George's "signature" gymnastic balance throughout the rest of his life.

Page 2: We see two rare photos of- - BOB PARRY and XAVIER LEONARD.

Both men were members of the trio "The Three Leonardos," with George Nissen filling the third spot. George, Bob and Xavier performed together during their last two years while at the University of Iowa ...followed by a year performing together in Mexico.

Page 3: Big news for trampolinist's - - - the new and improved "cables" (sometimes called "shock cords") are being produced. Adjustable cables allowed bouncers to "tighten or loosen" the trampoline bed as needed to create more BOUNCE.

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!"