The actual first act of trampolining is not known for certain. There are
several different reports on the true and accurate origins of
trampolining.
It is known that there were acts which used a "bouncing bed" on the
stage
to
entertain audiences during the early years of the 20th century. These
acts
were quite popular with the audiences. This "bouncing bed" was actually
a
type of small trampoline which was covered by bedclothes. The acrobats
would
perform on this "bouncing bed" and often they would engage in comedy
routines (usually pantomime) while bouncing on the bed.
Early histories of trampolines report that the original trampoline
consisted
of walrus skins because one of the first acts of trampolining was done
by
the Eskimos who used to toss each other up into the air on a walrus
skin.
This type of material is similar to a sheet used by firemen to catch
people
jumping out of the windows of burning buildings.
There also is some evidence that the earliest type of trampoline was
created
by people in England. It is believed that people would hold a blanket
with
a person on it, and toss that person up in the air.
During World War II, the use of the trampolines to train pilots and
navigators was developed by the US Navy Flight School. This would enable
the
men to practice in a way that had never been done before. After the war,
this program was adapted to train both American and Soviet Astronauts in
the
space flight program. With this program, the astronauts were able to
experience variable positions in flight.
The history of trampolining as a competitive sport surfaced around the
1960's and became an Olympic sport in 2000. While competing in the
sport,
the athlete can bounce up to a height of ten meters.
The competitive sport of trampolining involves gymnasts bouncing on the
trampoline while performing acrobatics such as jumps in the pike or tuck
positions, as well as somersaults and twists.
Synchronized trampoline and double mini-trampoline are two associated
competitive sports.