How Artificial Grass Was Invented

A wide range of people enjoy the benefits of synthetic
grass every single day. From professional athletes to
schoolchildren, astro turf helps provide a level and safe
surface for a broad array of different people. More likely
than not, you've played on artificial grass before; are you
curious to learn how it was invented? If so, keep reading.

AstroTurf: The Beginning;

In the decade of the nineteen-sixties, a business named
Chemstrand were searching for new types of artificial
playing surfaces for athletic activities. During the course
of the research and development process, the company sought
to create a kind of "tough carpeting." As they looked into
this possibility, they were approached by the Ford
Foundation, who were eager to find a solution for urban
sports surfaces. Between 1962 and 1966, Chemstrand worked
feverishly on this request.

A Solution For Urban Sports Players;

Living in the city brings many great benefits, but one
drawback is that there are few - if any - grassy areas upon
which people can play and enjoy sports. This is especially
concerning to conscientious parents who want their children
to run, play and get adequate amounts of exercise. Spurred
on by this need, the Ford Foundation prompted Chemstrand to
begin its research into creating a tough urban sports
surface. Many varieties were produced during the five years
that Chemstrand set to work on the issue, and one of them
eventually became the synthetic grass that we are so
familiar with today.

Artificial Grass Takes Off -

In 1964, the first large-scale installation of synthetic
turf took place at the Moses Brown School in Rhode Island
in the United States. As was expected, it was installed due
to the lack of green space in this urban region and was
used to help schoolchildren have the space to run around as
needed. In addition to this, artificial grass was used due
to the fact that it supplied a material surface that was
safer, cut down slip rates and was far less risky than
alternative products such as concrete. In short order, the
popularity of synthetic turf took off.

AstroTurf Is Born -

The most important event in the history of synthetic grass
occurred in the year 1966. That's when the Houston
Astrodome - home of baseball's Houston Astros and
football's Houston Oilers - installed a Chemgrass surface
for the first time. Following this, various other major
event arenas followed suit, installing the synthetic grass
which was patented "Astro Turf" in the USA in 1967. In the
ensuing years, this remarkable material has been used by
countless sports facilities, schools and other places to
help provide a safe, even playing surface for adults and
children alike. There's no doubt that synthetic grass is
here to stay.

17th Feb 10