Issue #30 (Aug 1, 1959) Ida Edwards Celebrates 15 Years at Nissen's

Another month of high activity at the Nissen Trampoline Company!

This includes one employee hits a landmark anniversary with the company, dozens of new employees being hired just to keep up with the sales volume and...the 1959 Pan American Games is in Chicago.

Ida Edwards
Can it be true that by 1959 she already spent fifteen years working for George Nissen? Amazing! Ida's job was to sew trampoline beds. First, at Nissen's initial location which was in a rented space behind the Chevrolet dealership on First Avenue, S.E., then moving to the 1324 Ellis Blvd, S.W. location and now at the 805 A. Ave., S.W. factory.

There is a nice write-up on Ida as well back in the Feb. 1, 1958 newsletter
use this easy LINK to jump there now. 

Let's meet the brand new Nissen employees who will be making trampolines!

 Now for a page of employee gossip & news.

But first, do note the photo at the bottom of the page where my father George Nissen is standing next to Olympic athlete Bob Richards.
Richards not only won gold medals in the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics - -  but just last year in 1958, he was the very first athlete to be featured on the front of a box of Wheaties!

In addition to the opportunity of meeting Bob Richards, I'm sure that my father was also smiling in pride because his new line of gymnastics apparatus "NISSEN GYMPORT," was used during the entire men's and women's competition at the Pan American Games.

The American men won the team title by a large margin as well as captured the first six places in the individual and all-around competition. 

The women's overall competition was dominated by both the U.S.A. and Canadian teams, with Canada's Ernestine Russel winning the beam, uneven bars, vault and All-around events.

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 # 29 (Aug 1, 1959) Sir Edmund Hilary Bounces on a Nissen Trampoline

1959 is turning out to be a remarkable year for the Nissen Trampoline Company.

As always, there was a lot more activity going on behind the scenes than reported in the newsletters. Captions and photos provide a few hints...so to keep my blog readers up to date I've made a few additions and comments of my own.

Mr. Yamaguchi's (representing the Senoh Company) visit to the factory was just one piece of my father's plan for expanding the world of trampoline into Japan. 
For while Mr. Yamaguchi was in Cedar Rapids...we were in Tokyo!

By invitation of the Japan Gymnastic Association, the All Japan Intercollege Gymnastic Federation and the Asahi Shimbun (a large Tokyo newspaper), the "USA Rebound Tumbling Team" followed a whirlwind schedule providing 14 trampoline demonstrations throughout the country. 





Frank Endo was instrumental to the tour's success as well as the future of trampolining in Japan.
He did all the planning and detail work for our successful tour of Japan and went on to serve as an international gymnastics judge and officiate at the Olympics...here is a LINK to read more of his interesting life.

Just a few short years later, and with assistance of another notable: Phil Drips (a former member of the USA Navy Starflights Trampoline exhibition team) negotiations began with the Senoh Gymnastics Company to have Nissen Trampolines manufactured in Japan. 
 

YMCAs across the country continued to purchase trampolines for their youth programs. Seizing the opportunity to support this interest  my father and Frank LaDue personally taught the special session on "rebound tumbling" at the YMCA Physical Director's meeting in Estes Park.

(Remember, the lawsuit on patent and trademark infringements was still in progress in Chicago, so all references to the "trampoline" were now "rebound tumbling.)

In July, the "Nissen Trampoline Demonstration Team" was invited once again to attend the National Swiss Turnfest in Basel, Switzerland. Following the trip, Frank LaDue provided the Modern Gymnast magazine with photos and a colorful report of his experiences. 

Excerpt:
"It is impossible for an American to compare this event with anything we know of our own Gymnastic gatherings. The only things which we have encompass such a large number of people are the Rose Bowl festival or the Indianapolis Memorial Day Race. The big difference, of course, is that in these American events,  the majority of people attending are spectators, while here in Switzerland, the largest number come as participants." (Modern Gymnast, Sept/Oct 1959).

Mass calisthenics (Photo: Frank LaDue, Modern Gymnast - Sept/Oct 1959)

Sectional competition Bern Berna Turnvereine under the direction of Franz Meyer  (Photo: Frank LaDue, Modern Gymnast - Sept/Oct 1959)

Even Sir Edmund Hillary, who along with Tenzing Norgay was the first to scale Mt. Everest six years earlier in 1953, was caught on camera training on the trampoline.

July-August was traditionally the time employees take their much needed family vacations, and many at Nissen's were able to do this. But the increasing volume of sales and shipments caused four special folks to forgo their vacations, notably:Nadine Boll (office manager), Gen Downing (accounting), Gail Smith, Janice Huffman and Willie Holub (shipping).

 

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 #28 (June 1, 1959) Gymnastics Meet in Rantoul. Louisiana

Another busy month for the Nissen Trampoline Company!

This of course included several gymnastics and trampoline competitions where every Nissen trampoline that was used ended up being sold to the local YMCA, school or recreation center. It also gave my father an opportunity to meet up with his coaching buddies;

Jeff Austin, Charlie Pond and Frank Bare.

 Significant on this page is the signing of the first distributor contract for consumer sales. This means the general public - - who will be soon sold on the concept of buying a trampoline for their own backyard. What a "concept!" To think it all started here!

Don't miss the mention of my father's trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan to learn how automobile bumpers were chrome-plated. Plans were already moving forward for the new Nissen factory and Bill Haberland was hired to help develop my father's idea to chrome trampolines.

Last, we have the Bloomington YMCA. This is where back in 1934, my father and Larry Griswold spent many days & nights learning the art of the circus!

 Pages 3 & 4 are devoted to the Newsy News among the Nissen employees.

The continuing increases in sales of trampolines, plus the big plans underway to manufacture gymnastics apparatus meant that the company needed to expand once again. 

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 #27 (May 1, 1959) National AAU Meet in New Jersey

It must be spring, and in 1959, weddings and baby showers were in bloom!

Peg and Bob's wedding was a traditional 50s style: big and with lots of Chantilly lace, satin plus roses!  Peg stayed on at Nissen's for 22+ years; becoming another of the valued, long-time members of the Nissen Trampoline Company family.

Page 2 contains several interesting trampoline "moments."

First, we have Boris Grunwald, Olympic diver bouncing on the first trampoline in Yugoslavia!

Beneath this is a photo of a group of New Jersey school kids...unfortunately the occasion is the first lawsuit brought against Nissen's for an accident on a trampoline.

Finally, the naming of a new model of trampoline to be manufactured in England. I searched future newsletters in vain for published results and finding none, I'll share the answer:

Named "Gazelle" - this non-folding, pit-tramp was soon found in many of Great Britain's holiday parks on the south coast near Brighten.

The Gazelle's real contribution was that it became the prototype frame for the yet-to-be-invented Spaceball!

 

Some notables on Page 3:

George Gulack, 1932 Olympic gold medalist on the rings, and now

chairman of the AAU gymnastics committee.

Leslie Judd, world famous gymnastics coach (special background LINK here).

Finally, Ron Munn (1st place winner) and Harvey Platte (2nd place) on trampoline at the 1959 National AAU gymnastics & trampoline meet that was held at the University of Massachusetts in Amhurst, Mass.

(Note: the newsletter states "Amherst, New Jersey" but with the amount of trampoline news pouring in, we'll let the editor off on this one!)

BUT, don't miss what will be one of my father's proudest moments (and one step closer to his goal) the photo of his Nissen Gymport equipment that what used at the AAU meet, and was selected to be used exclusively at the Pan American Games, Chicago in August!

A lot of fun "Nissen Company Family" news. If you have the time to read it all - - there's lots of great memories of life in the little town of Cedar Rapids during the late 1950s.

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 #26 (April 1, 1959) NCAA Meet in Berkley, California

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!"

Issue #25 (Mar. 1, 1959) Kurt Baechler Returns to U.S.A.

First, the Danish gymnastics team stopped by last November, then came the team from Finland.

My father's plan to promote his new Gymport line of gymnastics apparatus

 by showcasing the experts using it was in full swing!

He kept the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce busy as well; with welcome receptions at the airport, special exhibitions in local high school gyms and hosting banquets dinners at the

Cedar Rapids Country Club.

We'll see a number of visiting teams throughout the coming year!

Ted Blake, Director of Nissen Trampoline Co. Ltd. wrote a wonderful motivational letter for his employees at the England site. It's easy to see why my father nicknamed Ted "Little Churchill." Throughout the years, Ted excelled at developing enhanced business practices with inspirational presentations, so luckily we'll be reading  more of his wit as time goes on.

Meanwhile, the trampoline clinics throughout the U.S. and Europe "carried on." Here are a few more photos of events that didn't make it into the last several issues.

With sales of trampolines rocketing, more employees needed to be hired!

Here we meet a few of the new folks.

I have to mention Manuel Polo (photo below) who proved to be a versatile asset at the company. Originally from Ecuador, his job was "weaving trampoline beds," however the Sales department borrowed him quite a bit to assist in translation duties. 

Page 4 is full of "newsy-news" covering the employee's happy activities outside of work.

A special mention however, about half-way down is worth noting -- of the collective effort to send out 10,000 new 1959 catalogs (that contained GymPort equipment). Charlie Igram and his partner Bill Hutchings from Igram Press did the printing of the BOUNCE newsletter as well as all the Nissen catalogs. In fact, Nissen's and Igram Press (now known as Cedar Graphics) enjoyed a great business relationship for many years to come. Charlie and Bill began their business in the back of a grocery store! Read Igram's interesting history HERE. 

Do these newsletters spark a memory for you?

You are invited to share your own stories and comments below.

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

Issue # 24 (Feb. 1, 1959) Finland Gymnastics Team Visits Nissen Factory

February 1959 - Time once again for the National Sporting Goods Dealer Show!

This year it's being held in nearby Chicago and the BIG news at the Nissen booth is the debut of gymnastic apparatus under the brand name: GYMPORT.  

Expanding into the world of gymnastics equipment was a big step for the Nissen Trampoline Company.

It was based on my father's determination that in order for American gymnasts to have a chance to excel in international competitions...they needed access to Olympic-caliber equipment as well. GYMPORT (the name being a combination of GYM and IMPORT) was his solution.

Bottom left is a photo of my father's brother Paul Nissen. Back when they were kids, Dad tagged along to his older brother Paul's gymnastics classes. One day they needed a small person for the top spot in a group pyramid balance - - and Dad filled in. From that point on, gymnastics was his favorite sport!

Paul by the way, created quite a reputation for himself through the years as a Handball champion.

My father always knew that the best way to introduce a new line of gymnastics apparatus was to show top level gymnasts using it. So he made sure that the touring Finnish Gymnastics Team had the new Gymport equipment at their stops which included Sarasota Florida Clinic, New Jersey, Canada and in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

On this page is a unique photo of the fellows who are responsible for building the Nissen Trampolines over in the Essex, England - - under the expert management of Ted Blake. As you read through their job titles/duties it's easy to see that even back in 1959, a lot of work went into building each trampoline! 

Thanks guys, from all of us!

The back page: once again reserved for the "newsy-news" of Nissen employees.

By 1959, Dad was creating his own personal "time zone;" the result of his weekly cross-country and globe-trotting travels. Whenever he felt the need to sleep, he'd simply take off his neck-tie, wrap it around his head a couple of times and...nod off for forty-winks!

My naps were never as "stylish" as Dad's. This rather embarrassing photo of me :-) proves that even a young 8-year old kid couldn't keep up with her own Dad's zest & energy!

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 #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.

 ______________________________________________

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

Issue #22 (Dec. 1, 1958) Danish Gymnastics Team Visits Nissen Factory

The year 1958 was certainly significant for the Nissen Trampoline Company as Europe was beginning to learn about, and now embrace the trampoline. Sales were up, shipments were going out the door and everyone was looking forward to more, more, more!  

So, this "end-of-year wrap-up issue" is jam-packed with great photos!

Frank LaDue ; General Sales Manager for Nissen's, now accompanied my father
on his many cross-country trips.

Here, they're in California with a photo below that records a gathering of a very iconic group.

Roger Bartlett went on to open a thriving trampoline center in Los Angeles. Stan Mattox and Rich Harris are Nissen sales reps. for California. Rich went on to a long career teaching trampoline classes at San Mateo College, as well as authoring a book on trampolining. Xave Leonard (who taught school in California) never missed a chance to meet up my father; they were hand-balancing partners back at the U. of Iowa. (Xave had been the bottom-man in the "Three Leonardos" act) So, this leads to an interesting note: In just a few years, Xave will have young student Dan Millman in class...Xave will ask Dan to join the after-school trampoline club, and then...well, the rest is history! (Dan Millman became the 1964 First World Trampoline Champion) 

Meanwhile, Kurt Baechler completed his year-long plan to promote the trampoline in what seemed to be "just about every nook and cranny" of Europe! His latest and last conquest: Italy. Including the Italian police departments, military, springboard diving team.

He even fit in a few demonstrations in nearby Belgium.

Note the photo with the Italian diver wearing the twisting belt invented by Charlie Pond. He and my father collaborated on the production and marketing of the belt; thus, it became the "Pond-Nissen Twisting Belt." Here is a LINK to Charlie Pond's biography that contains the story

 behind how his invented the twisting belt.

The photo of Kurt Baechler's home brings back happy memories for me. During the summer of 1958, while my parents joined Frankie and Kurt for the many trampoline demonstrations throughout Europe...I spent many an overnight at Kurt's home enjoying the hospitality of his wife Hannie. Kurt's two boys, Urs and Tomas were about my age as well; soon I was introduced to the neighborhood kids and we spent our days swimming, careening on wooden T-handle-bar scooters and of course,

bouncing on the trampoline in the backyard.

Anyone with a traveling trampoline act knew that they could make a quick stop at Nissen's and repairs, repainting, whatever needed for their trampoline would be quickly taken care of. Here a trio by the name of "The Kovacs" stop by before heading on to England.

This page hints at three important activities... for which photos will appear in the upcoming post with the  January 1959 issue:

The annual Nissen employee Christmas party; a special time when the sewing room is transformed into Santa's North Pole. Then, the big gymnastics clinic in Sarasota, Florida will be held during the last week of December. Ted Blake is even flying his family over to attend. 

Finally, note the visit to Cedar Rapids by Louie Green. If you ever wondered "just where did all that nylon fabric come from that was sewn into a trampoline bed?" - - The answer is Louie Green!  The Nissen Trampoline Company proved to be his best contract for many, many years!

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 # 20 (Oct 1, 1958) Nissen Trampoline Invades Hollywood

Last month's "great trampoline tour of Europe" is finally over.

Just in time, because it's getting busy again all across America.

Interesting update on Frank LaDue: During his recent military stint in Germany, Frankie fell in love with physical therapist Sabine Pfauter and asked her to marry him! Their wedding was held in Ludwigsburg, West Germany (photos will be in next month's issue)
after which they flew to New York, so that Frank could introduce Sabine to his family...then,
they flew to Cedar Rapids where Frank joined Nissen's as General Sales Manager
(and Dad's right hand man!).  Sounds like Frankie learned a few of Dad's globe hopping tricks!

The following photos capture the public's growing excitement with trampolines.

We also meet University of Iowa star trampolinist Walter Patterson. Walt joined the famous flying act The Zacchini's...and traveled the world being shot out of a canon!
Plus, my father giving trampoline lessons to "Madman Muntz." LINK to a bit of Madman's history!

This page contains one of my favorite photos: it's of my grandparents (Oma & Opa), Frankie, Mom and me. My grandparents lived in Amsterdam, Holland but they were able to join us in Brussels and watched my mother and father perform on the trampoline at the World Fair.

Trampolines always made for fun parade floats throughout the years...and in 1958 a trampoline in a parade was still a very unique sight! Here we see the Koehler's performing in Flint, Michigan.

The rest of the page is filled with all the news of the factory and office employees traveling, visiting and hosting relatives and otherwise having a great time on their weekends off.

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 #18 (Aug. 1, 1958) Trampolines in Belgium, Sweden and Germany

It's a busy summer at the Nissen Trampoline Company.

Dad was alwsys thinking of the folks back at the factory and sent them a cheery
 letter describing his vist to Russia for the World Gymnastic Games.

Page 2: A quick mention below of the trampoline exhibition at the Brussels World Fair Convention for Physical Education. 

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We also meet the Koehler's, THE very first official trampoline demonstration troupe hired by Nissen's to travel the school assembly circuit. During the summer months Rusty, Yvonne and Jerry - - pick up odd shows at fairs, festivals and ballgames. This past month they were at a Sports Festival in Minneapolis, Rockefeller Center in New York City and even the Cedar Rapids Memorial Stadium  for the WMT Family Night!  However, when there were no bookings available, my father always made sure that there was part-time employment available for the Koehler's back at Nissen's.

At the bottom of page 3 is a nice description of the trampoline demonstration in Sweden. Plus a short article relating my father's travels (plus Mom, Frankie, Kurt and me) to Wuerzburg, Esslingen and Stuttgart, Germany. (More in the September issue)

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Finally..some local news! Nissen employees enjoying the Iowa summer with family and friends.

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 #17 (June 30, 1958) Nissen Announces New Profit Sharing Plan

The summer will become extra busy for the Nissen Trampoline Company; both inside and out - -

this bears out in the next several newsletters. In fact, there was no July newsletter - -
but two printed in June, due to the company's announcement of the new "Profit-Sharing Trust"
fund offered to all employees.

It's an interesting read if you enjoy learning how these programs rolled out in the late 1950s,
and to compare it to the types of benefits now offered to many workers in 2013.

On page 4, we get a hint of BIG things yet to come: the Nissen family is off to meet Frank LaDue

 and Kurt Bachler in preparation for the Brussels World Fair and the German Turnfest in Munich. Look for photos and news of these big events in the August & September newsletters.

(Which are already posted for you to read now #18 & #19)

Page 2:

Page 3:

Page 4:  A few photos and notes...but the real news begins next month!

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 #16 (June 1, 1958) Trampoline Schools & Clinics

This issue of BOUNCE is bursting with fun photos, events and interesting facts!
Incredibly, my father George Nissen, managed to cover it all, and appeared to"be everywhere at once!"

The big news was the opening of Bob Bollinger's new outdoor trampoline school in Sycamore, Illinois. Quite a few notables from the world of trampolines were on hand to help out as well.  

Then, before my father took off for the big toy fair in Los Angeles he made a special stop in Soccorro, New Mexico to meet up with Bob Hazlett (recent University of Iowa graduate and collegiate tumbling & trampoline champion).

A quick family note here: Marie Jensen celebrated her 107th birthday in Dysart, Iowa. Marie was my father's grandmother who as a child traveled to Iowa in a covered wagon. Being seven years old at the time, I still have vivid memories of attending several of her big family reunion birthday parties that were held at her Dysart home. 

George Szypula, men's gymnastics coach at Michigan State held a trampoline clinic in Battlecreek, Michigan with trampoline champions Ed Cole and Don Carney assisting!

We also get to meet Gary Robertson, who stayed on at Nissen's for many, many years!

On page 3, we have the opportunity to see a number of folks not usually found on this side of the camera lens. I'll share a little background on each.

Irving "Speed" Wallace - - a free-lance writer for a number of professional journals. He never ran out of material when George Nissen was his topic!

Jacky Brown - - who years earlier with Xave Leonard and my father, performed together as the "Three Leonardos;" an acro-hand-balancing act.

Finally, bottom left is a rare photo of three special men standing next to my father: 

Ed Cole - University of Michigan trampoline champion.

Dick Kimball who one year earlier won the NCAA springboard diving championship and now coached diving at the University of Michigan.

Nard Cazell of Amarillo, Texas. Owner of one of the first trampoline schools and coach to numerous collegiate and national trampoline champions.

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Lest we think Europe and the U.K. weren't also feeling the "bounce,"  on page 4, we have Ted Blake teaching a special teacher's clinic in Essex, England. Plus, professional trampoline performer Eddie Murillo catching the "perfect shot" in Milan, Italy.

Do these newsletters spark a memory for you?

If so, please share your own stories and comments below.

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"Nissen's - - A Great Place to Work!"

Issue #15 (May 1, 1958) NCAA Competition in Lansing, Michigan

On April 11 & 12, 1958, Michigan State hosted the men's gymnastics NCAA competition in Lansing,

 Michigan. For the past several years, Gene Wettstone's Penn State team and Charlie Pond's U of Illinois team dominated the conference; alternating winning the title almost every other year.

But in 1958, George Szypula's boys from Michigan State broke in and tied with Illinois

 to share the conference title!

Take a look at the classic photo below of the University of Iowa team having just returned from the big competition - - it includes a number of stellar gymnasts, trampolinists and coaches.

Below, read a dose of Ted Blake's famous "dry humor" regarding the recent fire at John Smith & Company (London)...in response to the Cedar Rapids folk's apparent oversight! 

Background note: Ted and my father had set up a special sub-contracting arrangement with John Smith's to use their facility as the U.K. base to manufacture trampolines.

This unfortunate incident in the midst of Kurt Baechler's big European sales blitz pushed the

Cedar Rapids factory to fill in the gap and double their production quotas.

Luckily, trampolines continued to be delivered without a hitch!

Visitors from New Zealand...Bob Bollinger completing plans to open his trampoline school next month...and we get to meet Bob Wright; who worked at Nissen's "before there was even a Nissen's!"

In 1944, he was the welder in the Chevrolet garage on First Avenue (Cedar Rapids) who helped assemble and ship out Dad's first big order of 30 trampolines for the Navy!

A great photo of my father with Irvin "Shorty" Bedard. The two shared the same nickname as my father was referred to as "Shorty Nissen" throughout his early school years.

Do these newsletters spark a memory for you? You are invited to share your own stories and comments below.

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"Nissen's - - A Great Place to Work!"