Rest In Peace George Nissen.
American gymnastics legend George Nissen passed away on April 7 in San Diego of complications from pneumonia.
I.G. – Dwight Normile – Trampoline Inventor George Nissen Passes Away
How did he get the idea?
… The Ringling Bros. circus would come to Cedar Rapids every year in the summer, and my brother and I would go. We actually did carry water for the elephants to get admission. When we watched the circus, we really enjoyed the flying trapeze performers, especially their dismounts. If they missed, they would fall to the net. But they would also dismount to the net and then they would rebound with another trick. I said, “Jeez, if you wanted to, you could keep rebounding into other tricks …
The inventor of the trampoline was also the inventor of crazy trampoline stunts, like the time he double bounced with a kangaroo.
There’s a great historical documentary called Up in the Air on YouTube.
The internet is full of tributes to the great man. Every acrobatic coach owes him a debt of gratitude.
Thank-you George Nissen.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 