Bouncy castles are temporary Inflatable structures used for entertainment at many events in South Yorkshire and across the whole of the UK. Including children's birthday parties, Christenings, Weddings, Charity events, Corporate days and many more occasions where entertainment value is needed.
The first inflatable structure was designed by John Scurlock in 1959. He first noticed his sons enjoyment when jumping on an air structure he was experimenting with for a government request of air covers. John was an electrical engineer working at NASA who also liked physics and was the pioneer of inflatable domes, inflatable tents and inflatable signs.
His greatest achievement was the invention of the safety air cushion that is used by fire and rescue departments to catch people jumping from buildings or heights. His wife, Frances, started the first inflatable rental company in 1966 called Space Walk Inc and in 1976 they built a custom facility for the production and rental of the products.
The original style of inflatables were flat beds with no inflatable walls surrounding the bed. They were marketed as space walks for children's birthday parties, company picnics and school fairs. Their son Frank Scurlock expanded the business throughout the United States and founded the first indoor inflatable play park.
In 1967 a pressurised top was added to the inflatable bed, these type of moonwalk bouncy castles are still around today. Moonwalk inflatable structures are known for getting very hot in the summer and have evolved into the Disco Domes we see in today's inflatable market.
In the early 90's Frank designed and built the first inflatable water slide. Prompting the many styles and numerous types of custom made inflatables we see available for hire in today's inflatable hire market. These range from slides to obstacle courses and a variety of inflatable games.
Bouncy castles and inflatable structures are typically made using strong PVC with nylon webbed beds and seams. Over the years of construction, various standards have been introduced for the manufacturing of inflatable products. The most recent standard being EN14960:2013 which all inflatable manufacturers must comply with.
Manufacturers have used this standard to design and build the huge array of inflatable products we see around today. Simple bounce house to Huge monstrous slides, assault courses and inflatable structures and games.
Inflatable bouncy castles are a great fun product and provide fantastic entertainment value. And will continue to do so for many years to come, thanks to John Sturlock's brainwave all the way back in 1959.
The image below is believed to be the worlds first bouncy castle.
Image source - BIHA
