A trampoline consists of a taut heavy fabric which is attached to a metal frame by springs. When a person falls onto a trampoline the intensity of the fall is cushioned by the springs that absorb the force of the falling person. Fire fighters use a trampoline, for example, to help cushion the fall of people jumping from burning buildings. Trampolines are used in the circus to soften the landing of a trapeze artist or clown. Trampolines are also used by gymnasts to demonstrate their acrobatic skills. Trampolining was included in the 2000 Olympics and is now a major sport.
Early trampolines were made of animal skins and used by the Inuit people for recreation. During ancient times, trampolines were used to send soldiers into castles which had high walls that could not be scaled manually.
The first modern day trampoline was made in 1934 in the USA by George Nissen and Larry Griswold, who were both members of the University of Iowa gymnastics team. They later formed the Griswold-Nissen Trampoline and Tumbling Company to commercially manufacture trampolines.
There are two types of trampoline, one for competitions and the other for recreation. Trampolines that are used for recreational purposes enable people to jump around three to four metres in height. Their use should always be supervised as you may lose balance easily if the action is not controlled.
Commercial trampolines have a rectangular bed with dimensions of 14 feet by 7 feet. The trampoline is fastened by more than a hundred steel springs to a frame which measures 17 feet by 10 feet. The recreational trampolines have lower strength springs in comparison to competition trampolines and are available in various sizes, shapes and colours. The most popular shapes are generally rectangular, round and octagonal. The fabric is canvas or polypropylene and is usually waterproof. Modern trampolines have a safety net attached around the trampoline frame. These nets help stop falls from the trampoline.
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