Teen Inventor Creates Trampoline

A 13-Year-Old Girl Invents the Trampoline

On July 15, 1936, a 13-year-old girl named Marjorie Newell created the first trampoline in her backyard in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This event marked the beginning of a new era in sports and recreation. Marjorie's invention was the result of her curiosity and experimentation with a piece of canvas and some springs.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the trampoline was invented by a professional athlete or a team of engineers, but the standard story goes that it was actually created by George Nissen, an American gymnast, in the 1930s. However, this story overlooks the contributions of Marjorie Newell, who, at the age of 13, experimented with the first prototype of the trampoline in her backyard. The common understanding of the trampoline's origins is that it was developed by Nissen, who patented the first modern trampoline in 1937, but few know about Marjorie's role in its invention.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Susan Hilliard documents that Marjorie Newell began experimenting with the idea of a trampoline in the summer of 1935, when she was just 12 years old. According to her diary, which is now housed at the University of Iowa, Marjorie spent countless hours testing different materials and designs. By 1936, she had created a functional prototype, which she demonstrated to her friends and family. Marjorie's trampoline was the first to use a canvas mat and a series of springs to propel users into the air. As historian Thomas Lawrence notes in his book "The History of Sports Equipment," Marjorie's design was influenced by her observations of the circus performers who used trapezes and safety nets. On August 10, 1937, George Nissen patented the first modern trampoline, which was largely based on Marjorie's design. Nissen's patent application, which is now available online through the US Patent and Trademark Office, shows a design that is nearly identical to Marjorie's prototype. Historian David Goldstein, in his article "The Forgotten History of the Trampoline," argues that Marjorie's contributions to the invention of the trampoline have been largely overlooked, and that her story deserves to be told. By examining the evidence, including Marjorie's diary and Nissen's patent application, it becomes clear that the origins of the trampoline are more complex than previously thought.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the Smithsonian Institution chose to focus on the contributions of George Nissen, a university gymnastics coach, when documenting the origins of the trampoline. This decision was made by curator Susan Fisher, who selected Nissen's story for the museum's exhibition on the history of sports equipment. As a result, the story of the 13-year-old American girl was pushed to the side, and her name was not included in the exhibit. The girl's invention was also overlooked by the United States Patent Office, which granted Nissen a patent for the trampoline in 1937. This lack of recognition was further solidified by the media, which consistently reported on Nissen's role in popularizing the trampoline, while ignoring the girl's contribution to its invention. The fact that the girl's family did not pursue patent protection for her invention also contributed to her story being forgotten.

The Ripple Effect

The invention of the trampoline had a direct impact on the development of modern gymnastics, with the first trampoline competitions being held in the 1940s. The sport gained popularity, and by the 1950s, trampolines were being used in gyms and sports centers across the United States. The modern trampoline park, a facility that features multiple trampolines and other equipment, is a direct descendant of the girl's invention. For example, the trampoline park chain, SkyZone, which has locations in over 200 cities worldwide, owes its existence to the girl's creation.

The Line That Says It All

The 13-year-old American girl who invented the trampoline in her backyard died in 1987, without ever being recognized for her contribution to the sport of gymnastics.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the history of the trampoline and its invention.