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'''AstroTurf''' is a brand of [[artificial turf]]. Although the term is a registered [[trademark]], it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf.<ref>{{cite patent|US|3332828}}</ref> The prime reason to incorporate AstroTurf on game fields was to avoid the cost of laying natural turf, especially indoors.
'''AstroTurf''' is a brand of [[artificial turf]]. Although the term is a registered [[trademark]] around the world and is a famous mark, it is sometimes improperly used as a noun to indicate any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf brand product was a short pile synthetic turf.<ref>{{cite patent|US|3332828}}</ref> The prime reason to incorporate AstroTurf on game fields was to avoid the cost of laying natural turf (especially indoors).


==History==
==History==
AstroTurf was co-invented in 1965 by Donald L. Elbert, James M. and Robert T. Wright. It was patented in 1967 and originally sold under the name "ChemGrass". It was renamed AstroTurf by Company employee John A. Wortmann after its first well-publicized use at the [[Reliant Astrodome|Houston Astrodome]] stadium in 1966.
The original AstroTurf brand synthetic turf was co-invented in 1965 by Donald L. Elbert, James M. and Robert T. Wright. It was patented in 1967 and originally sold under the name "ChemGrass". It was rebranded as AstroTurf by Company employee John A. Wortmann after its first well-publicized use at the [[Reliant Astrodome|Houston Astrodome]] stadium in 1966.


In 1987 [[Monsanto]] consolidated its AstroTurf management, marketing, and technical activities in Dalton, Georgia, as AstroTurf Industries, Inc. In 1988 Balsam AG purchased all the capital stock of AstroTurf Industries, Inc. In 1994 Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc. (SWRI) acquired the AstroTurf brand. In 1996 SWRI was acquired by American Sports Products Group Inc. (ASPG). In 2001, SWRI launched a turf system called NexTurf.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FIH/is_4_72/ai_n18614445/pg_2 | work=Coach and Athletic Director | title=Breaking the surface: uncovering your sports surfacing needs | year=2002}}</ref>
In 1987 [[Monsanto]] consolidated its AstroTurf management, marketing, and technical activities in Dalton, Georgia, as AstroTurf Industries, Inc. In 1988 Balsam AG purchased all the capital stock of AstroTurf Industries, Inc. In 1994 Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc. (SWRI) acquired the AstroTurf brand. In 1996 SWRI was acquired by American Sports Products Group Inc. (ASPG). In 2001, SWRI launched a turf system called NexTurf.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FIH/is_4_72/ai_n18614445/pg_2 | work=Coach and Athletic Director | title=Breaking the surface: uncovering your sports surfacing needs | year=2002}}</ref>


While AstroTurf was the industry leader throughout the late 20th century, other companies like [[FieldTurf]] became prominent in the early 2000s; as a result, the original AstroTurf is now almost obsolete.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1017343/index.htm | work=CNN | title=Field Of Greens | date=1999-10-18 | accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> However, AstroTurf has since created products based on modern turf technologies, although they are not as ubiquitous as their predecessors; the current products incorporate modern features such as antimicrobial protection, [[crumb rubber|rubber infill]], backing systems and nylon yarn fibers and plastic. In 2003 SWRI changed its name to SRI Sports and one year later filed for bankruptcy and the parent company, ASPG, retained the AstroTurf rights. In 2005 Textile Management Associates, Inc. (TMA) acquired the AstroTurf assets including intellectual property from ASPG and began marketing the AstroTurf brand under the company AstroTurf, LLC. In 2006 GeneralSports Venue (GSV) became TMA’s marketing partner for the AstroTurf brand for the American market. AstroTurf, LLC handles the marketing of AstroTurf in the rest of the world.
While AstroTurf was the industry leader throughout the late 20th century, other companies like [[FieldTurf]] became prominent in the early 2000s; as a result, the original AstroTurf brand products is now almost obsolete.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1017343/index.htm | work=CNN | title=Field Of Greens | date=1999-10-18 | accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> However, AstroTurf has since created products based on modern turf technologies; the current products incorporate modern features such as antimicrobial protection, [[crumb rubber|rubber infill]], backing systems and nylon yarn fibers and plastic. In 2003 SWRI changed its name to SRI Sports and one year later filed for bankruptcy and the parent company, ASPG, retained the AstroTurf intellectual property rights. In 2005 Textile Management Associates, Inc. (TMA) acquired the AstroTurf assets including intellectual property from ASPG and began marketing the AstroTurf brand under the company AstroTurf, LLC. In 2006 GeneralSports Venue (GSV) became TMA’s marketing partner for the AstroTurf brand for the American market. AstroTurf, LLC handles the marketing of AstroTurf in the rest of the world.


==Product timeline==
==Product timeline==
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* [http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blastroturf.htm History of AstroTurf]
* [http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blastroturf.htm History of AstroTurf]
* [http://www.inc.com/magazine/20080901/jon-pritchetts-dream-of-reviving.html 2008 case study on AstroTurf brand published in [[Inc. (magazine)|Inc. Magazine]]]
* [http://www.inc.com/magazine/20080901/jon-pritchetts-dream-of-reviving.html 2008 case study on AstroTurf brand published in [[Inc. (magazine)|Inc. Magazine]]]
* [http://www.mcardle-astroturf.co.uk/ McArdle Sport-Tec Ltd] Installed the artificial turf pitch at Manchester United Football Club’s Carrington training ground.


{{Houston Astros}}
{{Houston Astros}}

Revision as of 14:12, 7 November 2012

AstroTurf
Company typeLLC
Founded1964
Headquarters
Dalton, Georgia
,
USA
Key people
Bryan Peeples-President of AstroTurf, Jim Petrucelli-VP of Business Development, Troy Squires-Global Director of Sales and Marketing, and Andy Belles-Brand Manager First Experimental Weaver: K Pugh
Websiteastroturfusa.com

AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark around the world and is a famous mark, it is sometimes improperly used as a noun to indicate any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf brand product was a short pile synthetic turf.[1] The prime reason to incorporate AstroTurf on game fields was to avoid the cost of laying natural turf (especially indoors).

History

The original AstroTurf brand synthetic turf was co-invented in 1965 by Donald L. Elbert, James M. and Robert T. Wright. It was patented in 1967 and originally sold under the name "ChemGrass". It was rebranded as AstroTurf by Company employee John A. Wortmann after its first well-publicized use at the Houston Astrodome stadium in 1966.

In 1987 Monsanto consolidated its AstroTurf management, marketing, and technical activities in Dalton, Georgia, as AstroTurf Industries, Inc. In 1988 Balsam AG purchased all the capital stock of AstroTurf Industries, Inc. In 1994 Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc. (SWRI) acquired the AstroTurf brand. In 1996 SWRI was acquired by American Sports Products Group Inc. (ASPG). In 2001, SWRI launched a turf system called NexTurf.[2]

While AstroTurf was the industry leader throughout the late 20th century, other companies like FieldTurf became prominent in the early 2000s; as a result, the original AstroTurf brand products is now almost obsolete.[3] However, AstroTurf has since created products based on modern turf technologies; the current products incorporate modern features such as antimicrobial protection, rubber infill, backing systems and nylon yarn fibers and plastic. In 2003 SWRI changed its name to SRI Sports and one year later filed for bankruptcy and the parent company, ASPG, retained the AstroTurf intellectual property rights. In 2005 Textile Management Associates, Inc. (TMA) acquired the AstroTurf assets including intellectual property from ASPG and began marketing the AstroTurf brand under the company AstroTurf, LLC. In 2006 GeneralSports Venue (GSV) became TMA’s marketing partner for the AstroTurf brand for the American market. AstroTurf, LLC handles the marketing of AstroTurf in the rest of the world.

Product timeline

1960s

1965

1966

  • First major installation of AstroTurf (ChemGrass) at the Houston Astrodome indoor stadium for the Houston Astros. The infield portion was in place before opening day in April, outfield was installed in early summer.

1967

1968

1970s

1970

1974

1975

  • First international field hockey game played on AstroTurf at Molson Stadium, Montreal.[9]

1980s

1980

  • Philadelphia Phillies & Kansas City Royals play the entire World Series on Astroturf in their ballparks.

1984

  • AstroTurf installs first North American vertical drainage systems in Ewing, NJ at Trenton State College (now known as The College of New Jersey). [10]

1989

  • First E-Layer system (Elastomeric) installed at William and Mary, as well as University of California, Berkeley. [11]

1990s

1993

  • The 1993 World Series was the fourth (and most recent) World Series to be played entirely on artificial turf, following those in 1980, 1985, and 1987, and the last to be played on turf until 2008. As of 2010, only two teams still play on artificial turf, and both are in the American League East: the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays.

1999

  • Real Madrid C.F. (Spain) becomes the first European football club to purchase an AstroTurf system for their practice fields.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ US 3332828 
  2. ^ "Breaking the surface: uncovering your sports surfacing needs". Coach and Athletic Director. 2002.
  3. ^ "Field Of Greens". CNN. 1999-10-18. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  4. ^ Topic Galleries - baltimoresun.com [dead link]
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ About AstroTurf
  7. ^ 1970 World Series by Baseball Almanac
  8. ^ FOX Sports on MSN - AstroTurf Turf Talk - Turf Talk
  9. ^ Percival Molson Memorial Stadium
  10. ^ The College of New Jersey Athletics - Lions' Stadium
  11. ^ Marshall Press Release
  12. ^ News & Events - SRI Sports - International - Field, Track, Indoor, Tennis Systems & Services