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Brief Timeline
1950s: The
Ford Foundation studied ways to improve the physical
fitness of young people. They observed that rural folks
were more active and fit than urban folks were. 
Late
1950s: The Chemstrand Company, a subsidiary
of Monsanto Industries were developing new synthetic
fibers for use in carpeting. Monsanto was encouraging
the use of carpets in schools in conjunction with
the Ford Foundation's Educational Facilities Laboratory,
headed by Dr. Harold Gores.
Dr.
Gores suggested that Chemstrand develop the perfect
urban playing surface, Gores knew about both the Chemstrand
synthetic fiber research and the Ford fitness studies.
1962
- 1966: The Creative Products Group, part
of Chemstrand's research organization worked on creating
the new playing surface. The surface was tested for
foot traction and cushioning, weather drainage, flammability
and wear resistance.
 1964: The
Creative Products Group installs a synthetic turf called
Chemgrass
at the Moses Brown School in Providence Rhode Island.
This
was the first large-scale installation of a synthetic
turf.
1965: Judge
Roy Hofheinz builds the AstroDome in Houston, Texas.
Hofheinz consults Monsanto about replacing the natural
grass with a new synthetic playing surface.
1966: The
Houston Astros' baseball season begins on a Chemgrass
surface now renamed Astroturf at the AstroDome.  
Fall
1966: The Houston Oilers' AFL football season
begins on more than 125,000 square feet of removable
artificial turf (AstroDome).
1967: Indiana
State University Stadium, in Terre Haute, Indiana becomes
the first outdoor stadium installed with artificial
turf.
1967: Artificial
turf is patented (U.S. patent #3332828)
A
patent for "monofilament ribbon file product" was issued
to Wright and Faria, of Monsanto Industries.
From here, others have followed, bringing
their own brand names and solutions into the market. |
