Morning Musically-Minded, Medically-Minded, Masticators!
(Today’s post is sponsored by the letter “M”)
Over the past 600+ episodes, The Simpsons has taken us on an amazing journey involving music, science, and food to name a few concepts.
And what better way to start your week, than by discussing some of these concepts Monday morning?
So let’s get started this week by talking about a popular form of exercise and an Olympic discipline.
In the eighty eighth episode of The Simpsons, Bart’s Inner Child (Season 05, Episode 07), Homer is going through the newspaper’s free section searching for items he may like. He comes across 50 used mattresses, but Marge advises him to not get them. He then see’s someone posting a free trampoline.
He quickly rushes to the address, which turns out to be Krusty’s address.
Krusty: “You here for the trampoline?”
Homer: “Yeah. What’s the deal?”
Krusty: “Well, I used to do a lot of tumbling in my act but I’m phasing it out for more dirty limericks. There once was a man named Enis…”
When he brings the trampoline back home, the kids are pleasantly surprised.
Bart: “Dad, this one gesture almost makes up for years of shaky fathering.”
The trampoline is so much fun that Homer decides to sell tickets for trampoline time.
But the trampoline proves to be pretty dangerous as the Simpson backyard fills up with injured kids (and injured Otto).
Marge convinces Homer he should get rid of the trampoline. Homer tries to return it to Krusty, throw it off a cliff, and even saw it into pieces. However, all the attempts are unsuccessful. Bart finally steps in and helps get rid of the trampoline.
The purchase of the trampoline creates some controversy between Homer and Marge, and they turn to TV self-help guru Brad Goodman.
But have you ever wondered what a trampoline is?
Trampoline
A trampoline is a device consisting of a piece of taut, strong fabric stretched between a steel frame using many coiled springs. An alternative is also springless trampolines, that don’t have coiled springs.
George Nissen and Larry Griswold of the University of Iowa gymnastics team created the first modern trampoline in 1936. George and Larry named the device after the Spanish word for diving board, trampolin. In 1942, Geroge and Larry created the Griswold-Nissen Trampoline & Tumbling Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
During World War II, the US Navy implemented trampolines as part of their training of pilots. This continued post war, when they used it as part of astronaut training.
Trampolines are used by athletes training in gymnastics, diving, and freestyle skiing. They are also used recreationally for fun and for cardio exercise. Variations of basketball and volleyball are played in trampoline parks.
The competitive gymnastic sport of trampolining has been part of the Olympic Games since 2000. Over the past 6 Summer Olympics, China has won 14 medals, including 4 golds. China is followed by Canada who have 7 medals, including 2 golds.
Now that we’ve learned more about trampolines, be sure to come back next week when we continue our Monday morning musings with the next episode of The Simpsons.
Did you remember the episode? What’s your favourite Bart-centric episode of The Simpsons? What about your favourite episode where something new joins the Simpsons house hold? Did you remember the trampoline and everything Homer planned? Did you remember Homer trying to get rid of the trampoline? Do you own a trampoline? Have you ever been on a trampoline? Have you ever been to a trampoline park? Have you watched trampolining at the Olympics? Sound off in the comments below. You know we love hearing from you.
Homer: Oh my God!
Lisa: What is it?
Homer: Tramampoline! Trambomboline!