George Nissan - Invented the Tramploine

George Nissen, 96, was a gymnast who developed and patented the trampoline died on April 13, 2010 in New York City.

He became involved in tumbling as a young boy and continued through high school and college at the University of Iowa where he was a three time collegiate gymnastics champion. He partnered with his college gymnastics coach and developed a prototype trampoline after seeing circus trapeze performers jumping and tumbling on safety nets.

Initial sales were slow, but he went on a world tour as a comedic acrobat using the name "The Diving Fool". After World War II, he returned to Cedar Rapids , Iowa where he expanded his company. He eventually sold Nissen Corp. in 1973, but continued to promote the sport for the remainder of his life.