What does Apple, Amazon, Google, Disney and Microsoft all have in common?
They all got started in a garage!
Those five companies represent only a fraction of the thousands of successful U.S. companies that got their start in garages.
You can add the Nissen Trampoline Company to that list.
George Nissen used his family’s garage to build his early rebounding prototypes and first production trampolines. When orders for his invention started coming in, it enabled him to finally afford a building to expand operations.
Nissen Corporation eventually became the world’s largest manufacturer of gymnastics equipment and trampolines.
Imagine one working in a midwestern garage during the dead of winter in a poorly lit space without heat or air conditioning. The person is creating a contraption that doesn’t even have a name for it yet. If they try to explain it to anyone, it is very likely people will think the idea is slightly delusional.
How big of a dream does a dream need to be to keep a person persisting in their quest? How is that vision made steadfast when the naysayers keep nagging to stop?
For George, it was more than just a device for bouncing. He saw the rebounders potential for many activities such as entertainment, health and fitness, a device to improve athletic performance, and of course, a sport.
Everyone who enjoys jumping on their trampoline should thank George for sticking to his goal, overcoming all odds, and making the trampoline the cultural, fitness, and sporting icon that it is today.
Paul (brother), Mary (sister), Catherine (mother), George Nissen, and Frank Nissen (father).
An early production model of George Nissen’s “Tumbling Device” U.S. Patent 2,370,990 March 6, 1945
George’s father, Frank Nissen, was not keen on giving up his garage and having to park his car outside, especially in the winter. In the end, Frank was supportive of George’s entrepreneurial spirit and gave up his garage for the time being.
After George sold his tenth trampoline, his father told him, “well, it looks like you’ve saturated the market, now you can go get a real job!”
Dian Nissen continues to carry the torch of the Nissen Trampoline Company by continuing to promote the trampoline and its many benefits. She founded the Nissen Trampoline Academy to encourage youth to jump for fun and fitness and to learn acrobatic skills for competitions.
Dian also enjoys teaching fitness on the bellicon fitness trampoline.