The History of Bouncy Castles

Introduction: In the late 1950's, John Scurlock invented the first Inflatable structure, which is a fun and safe way for kids to bounce. In addition, Scurlock invented an air cushion to protect people from falling from heights. By 1976, Scurlock's business was already well established. Today, bounce houses are commonly found at children's parties and events around the world. To learn more about the history of bounce houses, read on.

John Scurlock invented inflatables structures 1959

Inflatable structures have become an important part of the carnival experience. John Scurlock invented the first one in 1959 while working on enclosed space covers. During the development process, Scurlock noticed that employees were enjoying jumping on the covers. This led him to develop an inflatable structure that was safe for children to play in. Scurlock's wife went on to start an inflatable rental company and industrial manufacturing business. After that, Inflatables quickly became a popular part of carnivals.

When John Scurlock was designing an inflatable tennis court cover for NASA, he noticed that employees were jumping on the air covers. He decided to turn that fun into a business and began producing inflatable domes, moonwalks, and other structures. Scurlock's next innovation was an inflatable pillow that firefighters could use to help keep them safe in the event of a fire. Today, inflatable structures are an important part of many events, from birthday parties to family outings.

Scurlock also invented the safety air cushion

John Scurlock was an electrical engineer in Louisiana, USA and graduated from Texas A&M University. He was drafted into the US Army during his undergraduate years but returned to finish his degree. After the war, he served in Germany before returning to Louisiana. He was the director of the physics department at a local college. He also invented inflatable domes and tents. His inventions included the safety air cushion.

The bouncy castle industry took off in the 1960s, and Scurlock's wife started a rental business in 1968. In the 1970s, the company offered inflatable space walks and even built a custom facility. But there was one major problem with these inflatables. They were unstable and required a safe enclosure. In 1967, Scurlock added a pressurized inflatable top to his bouncy castle. He also installed two fans for safety. Scurlock also patented the safety air cushion, which became a life-saving device for trapeze artists and stuntmen.

Air cushions help people who fall from heights

The idea behind the use of air cushions in bouncy castles originated with John Scurlock, a mechanical engineer who enjoyed working with physics. He later used this technology to develop inflatable domes, tents and signs. Perhaps his greatest achievement is the creation of safety air cushions, which are used by rescue teams and fire departments to prevent people from falling. Air cushions are not only used in bouncy castles; they are also found in other inflatable structures and are available for purchase.

Son Frank Scurlock decided to expand the business

After acquiring the patent on the bouncy castle (or bounce house as they are known in the USA), John and Frances Scurlock began constructing indoor amusement centres. The company also invented the inflatable water slide and photo booth, which was popular with kids. During the 1970s, they expanded their business to other US states and opened a second unit in Memphis, Tennessee. By 1989, they had expanded to over 200 communities around the country.

Despite the initial investment, the business has become more popular than ever. Space Walk Interactive, headquartered in Kenner, Louisiana, has over 100 stores nationwide and has acquired the Nashville-based Grand Central Bounce House. Since then, the company has added more than 4,000 bounce house rentals to its diverse inventory. In fact, it services more than 30,000 events annually. While the original founder of the company, John Scurlock, was a mechanical engineer, his son decided to expand the business by adding other inflatable items.

First indoor play park Fun Factory opened in 1986

In the early 1980s, inflatable rental companies began offering bouncy castles (bounce houses) and other amusements for rent. The popularity of inflatable rentals grew and in 1986 Fun Factory opened its first indoor play park in Metairie, Louisiana. The first inflatable in its line was an open-top mattress without sides, called a Space Pillow. It required two fans to pressurize the top. In time, the company began naming its units after the different types of inflatable rides.

In the 1960s, inflatable bounce houses were tall and large. Scurlock and his wife, Frances, began renting them and promoting them at children's parties. Originally, the bounce houses were made with no enclosure, but the space walk was an innovation that helped people have a fun time. In 1967, the inflatable was pressurized with two fans to keep it cool during the hot summer months. Later, walls were added to help circulate air inside.

Since then inflatables have become very popular

Inflatables are extremely popular for a number of reasons. While many people have a fondness for the Moonwalk, they are also available in different shapes, colours, and sizes. Inflatable games, including gladiator jousting and bungee runs, can put players in a competition. Obstacle courses are available in inflatables for large people, usually consisting of two or more inflatables connected together.

Inflatables are easy to set up and take down, requiring only about 10 minutes per inflatable. In addition, industrial-grade inflatables are made from high quality PVC and don't require much maintenance, and can even be used in private homes. Since then, inflatables have become a popular way to celebrate birthdays and all types of events.

The variety of play inflatables is also diverse

Inflatables are fun, but there are some safety precautions you should be aware of. If you are going to rent an inflatable bouncer for children, be sure to keep a close eye on them. The most common cause of accidents is lack of adult supervision. Children of all ages should use inflatables with adult supervision. The number of children using an inflatable bouncer also varies, so make sure you choose a unit appropriate for the age and the size of the kids in attendance. We can, of course advise you on all these points.