1959 - John Scurlocks invents the 'First Inflatable 'Spacewalk'
1968 - First Inflatable rental Company
1974 - Netting Used For Walls
1986 - Inflatables Theme Park Opened
Credited with the invention of the Bounce House, John Scurlocks greatest achievement in the field of inflatables was the invention of safety air cushions. This product is now widely used by fire and rescue departments to hold people jumping from heights.
In 1959 while experimenting with inflatable covers for tennis courts, swimming pools, and other enclosures John came up with the idea for the first moonwalk. He noticed the loss and refilling of air made the covers bouncy and the employees kept flopping and jumping on them and having a great time. Scurlock decided to create a kid’s amusement bouncer. He originally called the inflatable structures "Spacewalks" and started a company of the same name.
In 1974 the Jupiter Jump was born. These modern jumps had inflated columns to support walls constructed of netting allowing air to pass through the bounce house. This innovative solution solved the problem of intense heat that was generated inside the jumpers greatly enhancing the popularity of the Inflatable jumpers.
Back in 1968 Scurlock's wife Frances started an inflatable rental company and in 1976 they constructed a custom facility for the manufacture and leasing of the increasingly popular products. Their marketing targeted kids birthday parties, church and school functions. Their
son Frank extended the rental enterprise across the United States under the brand name Area Walk and Inflatable Zoo. In 1986 Frank also established the first all inflatable indoor play park called The Fun Factory.The term "Bounce House" came to popularity with the resurgence of hipster culture in New England. These inflatable’s are also marketed as Bounce Houses, Moon Bounces, Astrojumps, Moonwalks, Jolly Jumps and Spacewalks. "Pula pula" is another name commonly used by Latinos, which literally means "jump jump". In Southern California, another popular term is Closed Inflatable Trampolines (CITs). Bouncy Castle or Inflatable Castle is used in Ireland, the UK, New Zealand and parts of Australia, and Jumping Castles in Arizona, Australia, Canada and South Africa.
Whatever they are called, there growth in popularity has led to an inflatable rental industry which includes inflatable slides, obstacle courses, games, and more.
Inflatables are ideal for portable amusements because they are easy to transport and store. Computer Aided Design or CAD, means the variety of jumpers offered today is huge and only limited to human imagination.
This year's Sunday Parkways kickoff is at 11:00 am on Mother's Day, May 13, 2012. The 8-mile loop has activities for young and old from one end of the loop to the other. See the map below for details and exact times. Look for Portland PartyWorks Inflatable Bounce Houses, Rock Walls and More on all the Parkways throughout the summer.Portland PartyWorks is thrilled to be a Donor of this city-wide activity that gets neighbors meeting each other and outside enjoying the beauty of their streets and parks. Walk, ride, bike, roll, run or find your own transportation to share in the events that include concerts, free bike repair, food and exhibits.
