When Were Bounce Houses Invented: A Complete History

Bounce houses have been a central feature of childhood joy for over 60 years. Most people alive today have fond memories of bouncy castles and moonwalks at carnivals, festivals, and children's parties. Many of us have spent many long and happy hours bouncing in these inflatable palaces. But where do they come from?

When were bounce houses invented, how did they evolve, and why are they so popular today? Let's leap into the story of John Scurlock and the original bounce house.

 

The Early Beginnings of Inflatable Structures

John Scurlock was an engineer who wanted to make the world a better place with new inventions. In the 1950s, he worked extensively with NASA and firefighters to make inflatable falling pads for rescue. His inventions saved lives long before they became a source of fun. Other inflatable structures were also being explored in the 1950s, including inflatable covers for sporting events, like inflatable tennis court covers for shade and rain protection. Scurlock experimented with many early inflatable designs, including domes, tents, and signs.

Most early prototypes were made of stitched nylon, introducing the leak-tolerant premise because there were always small holes around the stitching.

 

The Invention of the First Bounce House

The first bounce house was designed in 1959 in Shreveport, Louisiana, when Scurlock saw his employees jumping and playing on an inflatable tennis court tent. Then, he realized that his life-saving bouncy air mattress design could also bring joy to children (and adults) everywhere.

The first bounce house wasn't a house at all. It was a large air mattress marketed as a Space Walk and later a Moon Walk because it caused children to take steps similar to the astronauts of the moon landing stepping in low gravity.

The first commercial bounce houses were made of PVC fabric or heavy-duty nylon. Scurlock's wife, Frances, realized that there was a bigger market for party rentals than direct purchases. She inspired John Scurlock to open the first inflatable moonwalk rental business in 1968 and marketed the moonwalks for children's parties and local festivals.

 

The Growth of the Bounce House Industry

Scurlock's son Frank was as inventive as his father. He saw the potential of bounce houses and expanded the concept to bigger and more creative bouncy toys. He kept the original spacewalk but also introduced the Inflatable Zoo. 

The Moon Walk, or "Space Pilow," got an upgrade. To keep children safe, sides were added in 1967. They were originally pressurized inflatable sides, making the first bouncy castle. But this made the bouncy play area inside too hot. In 1974, they replaced the sides with columns with mesh in between. This version was called the Jupiter Jump. Then, in 1975, Neiman Marcus listed the first enclosed Moon Walk bouncy castle.

Frank then founded the first inflatable indoor play park, the Fun Factory, in 1986. This park featured large inflatable animals and the first inflatable games. In the 1990s, Frank innovated the first inflatable water slide, the Aqua Tunnel.

During this time, inflatable bounce structures grew as a must-have rental item for parties and attractions. 

 

Technological Advances and Safety Improvements

Over time, safety standards have been developed across countries where bounce houses have taken off as party features. Stronger materials, pressure standards for inflating fans, and rigorous testing have helped to make bounce houses what they are today. Safety regulations and standards in manufacturing are essential to ensure child (and adult) safety when using bounce houses.

 

Modern Bounce Houses: Trends and Innovations

Bounce house technology has only continued to develop since it reached peak popularity in the 1990s when every children's party had to have a bounce castle. Inflatable obstacle courses, slides, interactive inflatable games, and themed inflatable structures for events have transformed what was once an oversized air mattress into a delightful industry of joy, entertainment, and inflated PVC fabric. 

 

Global Popularity and Variations

One of the advantages of sharing cultures across the globe has been the expansion of bounce house popularity. Children and event planners worldwide now have access to bounce houses for birthday parties, festivals, carnivals, and all manner of special events. The inflatable feature design is particularly appealing because it's so easy to transport when not inflated. Each culture adds its special style to bounce house design, such as reflecting local castles, mythical creatures, and special games.

 

Bring 60 Years of Joy to Your Next Event

Bounce houses have been delighting children and adults for over 60 years, from the original moonwalk mattress to the beautiful, soaring bounce castles and inflatable obstacle courses and games you can find today. Make your next event complete when you shop Big & Bright Inflatable for a rental bounce house or a field of inflatable attractions.

 

 

 

Image Credit: Tammy Watts / Shutterstock