In 2005, the most stringent standards in the construction of an inflatable amusement were adopted nationally in Australia, forming Federal Standard AS3533.4. This category has emerged as a response to parents who wish to buy an inflatable for home use.Ī typical inflatable castle during the fair in Muurame, Finland, in 2013 Pores in the seams and material allow air to escape as children play, while the blower continues to inflate the unit. The netting allows for supervision as adults can see in from all sides.Īnother type of home-use inflatable has evolved, with a blower pumping in air continuously. Modern moonwalks in the US are typically supported by inflatable columns and enclosed with netting. UK and Australian bouncy castles have specifications calling for fully inflated walls on three sides with an open front and foam "crash mats" to catch children who may jump or fall out of the structure. The principle is one of constant leakage, meaning small punctures are not a problem – a medium-size "bouncy castle" requires a fan with a mechanical output of about two horsepower (about 1.5 kW) and consumes around 2 kW of electrical power, allowing for the efficiency of the motor. The surfaces are typically composed of thick, strong PVC or vinyl and nylon, and the castle is inflated using an electric or petrol-powered blower. With schools and daycares closed, parents bought inflatables to occupy their children while conducting remote work. Inflatable bouncy houses, slides, pools, and other large outdoor toys for retail home use became more popular in the summer of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a means for parents to entertain their children while maintaining social distancing. With adult play a growing trend, bouncy castle rentals have also seen increased popularity at weddings. It was designed as an inflatable theme park for all ages, and toured the United States in the summer of 2019 as a traveling festival. It included multiple zones, such as ball pits, a slide, inflatable forests, a basketball court, and a DJ booth. The world's largest inflatable castle, The Big Bounce America, was certified in 2018 at 1,062.252 square metres (11,433.99 sq ft). By 2014, the industry was estimated to be worth $100 million. The market has also diversified to include lighter retail designs. Thousands of companies now rent inflatable castles in the United States. The original bouncy house was essentially an air pillow with a roof, but the hundreds of modern models include inflatable waterslides, basketball gyms, a game in which players attempt to knock each other over with a large inflatable wrecking ball, and characters licensed from multimedia franchises such as Frozen. Īs part of the space-themed toy trend sparked by the space race, 'The Moon Walk', a closed inflatable trampoline with a plastic roof designed for children's safety, was available for mail order in the 1975 Neiman Marcus catalog. īob Regehr is also credited for inventing the bouncy house in 1968, under the brand name Moon Walk. The idea to rent inflatables for parties is attributed to Scurlock's wife Frances, who was running a rental business by 1969. In the 1980s the family business operated an indoor amusement park, The Fun Factory, in Metairie, LA, but it transitioned to and today continues to rent heavy-duty inflatables for occasions ranging from county fairs to children's birthday parties. According to his family, he was inspired in the late 1950s while designing inflatable tent covers for tennis courts. Scurlock, a plastics specialist who taught at Tulane University and worked for NASA, later also invented the Space Walk safety air cushion used by stunt performers and fire brigades responding to high-rise fires. History Īmerican engineer John Scurlock is credited as inventor of the modern inflatable tent design, in 1958. Inflatable castles have been suggested as having some therapeutic value for children with certain sensory impairments, similar to ball pits. Inflatables have been marketed under several names, such as "Bounce House", "Bouncies", "Moon Bounce", "Boingalow", "Astrojump", "Moonwalk", "Jolly Jump", and "Spacewalk".
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