Photos
Somehow, the New York Times failed to report this story on the front page of its newspaper (“all the news that’s fit to FAIL”), so we are a little late in posting our own remembrance, but last Wednesday, George Nissen, a man whose work has proven hugely important to both the worlds of gymnastic sport and the worlds of hilarious home videos, passed away. From the Wall Street Journal:
Mr. Nissen, who died Wednesday at age 96, was a schoolboy tumbler who said he was inspired to devise the trampoline in 1934 after watching circus aerialists do flips while bouncing in the net beneath the trapeze.
While smaller trampolines—sometimes called “bouncing beds”—had been used by circus clowns and vaudevillians, it was Mr. Nissen who thought to build a large-scale one that could support a sustained routine of tricks. His invention ended up in gyms around the world, giving rise to a new sport that in 2000 made it into the Olympics.
It is impossible to estimate just how much we owe him. In some ways, we owe him everything. For this alone we could never repay him:
R.I.P. George Nissen. You will be missed. You are in heaven now, saying “mom, watch this” right before doing a faceplant with the angels.
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I’ll pour out a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in his honor.
I’m surprised Trampolines are so young.
Did we do anything for the Trampoline’s 75th birthday last year?
I feel like that was a wasted opportunity.
You need to start a facebook page for Trampolines and accidents thereupon! I’d join it fer sure!
I am far too lazy to ‘do things’
Nissen’s Trampoline Accident sounds like a kick ass band name
And obviously the title of their sophomore album would be “Faceplant with the Angels”
Inventor of the trampoline and handsome to boot – this guy was the bee’s knees!
I’m sure his life had ups and downs like everybody else.
This Thread just got put ON NOTICE
Thank you, George Nissen, for moments like these:
:’)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mQhLVgagVQ
I’m sure he’s LOL’ing at this in the heavens now!
Is it creepy if i find some kid’s trampoline and jump on it in his honor?
nope. do it.
make sure you have something to toast him with too.
and pants are optional.
Oh man… Alcohol + trampoline = good times.
You forgot to add video camera to the equation. The real good times come from sharing.
I think you mean some kid’s “bouncing bed.”
Hats off to you, Mr. Nissen. If ’tweren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had a mildly successful athletic career in trampoline and tumbling from the ages of 16-18. This sounds like a joke. It is not, fellow monsters. I have the stats from nationals to corroborate.
I find myself in general awe of a internet commenter who may have once had a successful athletic career. Trampoline or not. my hat is also tipped to you.
I bet the inventor of the “moon bounce” is making a dismissive wanking motion as he reads about this in his inflatable mansion.
Don’t you guys in Britain call trampolines lorries?
I don’t know guys… This dude is giving me major Heavens Gate/ Hale Bopp fever…
In case there was any doubt –
Videogum is THE source for Trampoline Accidents – Even Google Knows it!
Mr. Nissen, making people rich beyond their wildest dreams as a result of the countless lawsuits filed over trampolines.
And from the prizes won on America’s Funniest Home Videos. Seriously, that show owes Mr. Nissen a huge debt.
That show owes a lot of people a lot of huge debts.
How many people have died at the hands of this man (‘s invention)?
Correction: How many people have been fortunate enough to die at the hands of this man (’s invention)?
Not enough, my friend…not enough.
two? three? am I close? fifty six?
He gave us one of the best minor Simpsons story lines. And now he’s getting closer to God!
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Her?
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Hello, Hollywood? I’m going to need you to put the Nirvana biopic on hold. I’ve got Terry O’Quinn on the phone and we’re ready to greenlight.
Well, I guess I’ll have to go to my parent’s house and jump on my old trampoline in his honor. Man, what a great invention. I never really had any trampoline accidents, though. However, we did used to jump off of my friend’s roof (one story) on to the trampoline. It was so great. God I loved my trampoline. Thanks, George Nissen!
I lost my virginity on a trampoline.
I lost my virginity TO a trampoline.
ouch!