Trampoline History

History of the ASTM Trampoline Sub-Committee

In the early 1960's, the US Bureau of Product Safety (now called the US Consumer Product Safety Commission) called together a group of trampoline manufacturers and professionals. The group met in Chicago and included: Bill Sorenson, George Nissen, Larry Griswold, Bob Fenner, Bruce Sidlinger, Newt Loken, Dick Holzaephal, and others. They were instructed to create a committee to develop a safety standard for trampolines. Sorenson was appointed chairman of the committee. This committee is now known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Trampoline Sub-Committee (F08.17).

Together, this group wrote a safety standard for trampolines. When presented to the Bureau of Product Safety, they were told this was a "world record!" Never before had a standard been written in less than 3 years, yet the ASTM Trampoline Sub-Committee completed an effective standard, which was approved by ASTM, in 9 months.

Due to the rapid growth of trampolines outside institutional environments in the past nine years, the ASTM Trampoline Sub-Committee recognized the need for new and differing trampoline standards, based on use and environment. On February 10, 1999 the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) gave final approval to a revised safety standard for consumer trampolines (trampolines intended for use in a home environment). The ASTM Trampoline Sub-Committee has assigned a separate task group to formulate a new standard for institutional trampolines (trampolines intended for use in a commercial or institutional facility).

For further information on the ASTM Trampoline Sub-Committee, contact John Kuchno, Chair: kuchno@gateway.net

(From: ITIA Newsletter; Summer 1999; Vol. 1; Issue 3; by Lani Lokendahle)