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'AstroTurf' is a brand of artificial turf. Though 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 ^[1] while the current products incorporate modern features such as antimicrobial protection, rubber infill, backing systems and nylon yarn fibers.

Contents

History

Product Timeline

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

See also

References

External links

History

AstroTurf was invented in 1964 by employees of Monsanto, patented in 1967, and originally sold under the name "Chemgrass". It was renamed AstroTurf after its first well-publicized use at the Houston Astrodome stadium.
In 1986 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] The surface was installed at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia from 2001-2003 and led to a preseason Monday Night Philadelphia Eagles-Baltimore Ravens game being postponed because of the condition of the Nexturf field.^[3] 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 and Associates (TMA) acquired the AstroTurf assets and 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 internationally.

Product Timeline

1960s

'1965'

★ The Houston Astrodome opens with natural turf and a glass ceiling which causes glare for the fielders. The panes are painted black and the sod soon dies. The field's dead grass is painted green.
'1966'

★ AstroTurf is first installed in the Houston Astrodome. The infield was in place in April, but due to lack of supply, the outfield is not completed until July, when the Astros are sent on an extended road trip. The all-synthetic field is ready for play following the All-Star break in July.
'1968'

★ AstroTurf manufacturing facility opens in Dalton, GA.^[4]

★ Husky Stadium at the University of Washington in Seattle becomes the second major sports facility in the U.S. to install AstroTurf.

1970s

'1974'

★ Miami Dolphins play Minnesota Vikings on AstroTurf in Super Bowl VIII – Rice Stadium, Houston, TX.^[5]
'1975'

★ AstroTurf was installed at New Orleans Superdome^[6] and Detroit Silverdome.^[7]

★ First international field hockey game played on AstroTurf at Molson Stadium, Montreal.^[8]

★ Cincinnati Reds play World Series on AstroTurf.^[9]
'1976'

★ Cincinnati Reds play back-to-back World Series' on AstroTurf.^[10]
'1978'

★ Dallas Cowboys defeat the Denver Broncos (27-10) on AstroTurf in Super Bowl XII – Superdome, New Orleans, LA.

1980s

'1981'

★ Oakland Raiders play Philadelphia Eagles on AstroTurf in Super Bowl XV – Superdome, New Orleans, LA. ^[11]
'1983'

★ Women's World Cup Hockey (field hockey) games are played on AstroTurf.^[12]

★ AstroTurf installs first North American vertical drainage systems in Paterson, NJ at Trenton State. ^[13]
'1989'

★ First E-Layer® system (Elastomeric) installed at William and Mary, as well as University of California, Berkeley. ^[14]

1990s

'1996'

★ Atlanta Olympic Field Hockey installs AstroTurf System.^[15]
'1999'

★ Real Madrid C. F. (Spain) become the first European soccer club to purchase an AstroTurf system for their practice fields.^[16]

★ Michael Irvin suffered the neck injury that led to his premature retirement on the AstroTurf at Veterans Stadium.^[17]

2000s

'2001'

★ Philadelphia Eagles-Baltimore Ravens preseason NFL Monday Night football game is postponed because of the unplayable condition of the NexTurf at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.^[18]
'2002'

★ Buffalo Bills install AstroTurf system in Ralph Wilson Stadium.^[19]
'2004'

★ SRI Sports files for bankruptcy, effectively ending the AstroTurf brand at that time.
'2004'

★ Textile Management Associates acquires all AstroTurf trademarks, intellectual property and manufacturing facilities.

See also

★ Artificial turf

★ List of AstroTurf installations

References

1. http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT3332828&id=M2twAAAAEBAJ&dq=3332828&jtp=1#PPR2,M1
2. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FIH/is_4_72/ai_n18614445/pg_2
3. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-7876598_ITM
4. http://www.astroturfusa.com/about/history.html
5. http://msn.foxsports.com/turftalk
6. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,913439,00.html
7. http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/past/Silverdome.htm
8. http://football.ballparks.com/CFL/Montreal/veryoldindex.htm
9. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1975ws.shtml
10. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1976ws.shtml
11. http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/superbowl/Superdome.htm
12. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040516/spectrum/main1.htm
13. http://www.tcnjathletics.com/Sports/gen/2003/stadium.asp
14. http://www.marshall.edu/ucomm/RELEASE/2005/pr061805.htm
15. http://www.panstadia.com/vol3/34-082.htm
16. http://www.southwestrec.com/international/news/photos2.htm
17. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0301/19/sm.12.html
18. http://archive.philadelphia.comcastsportsnet.com/teams/eagles08_13.asp
19. http://www.southwestrec.com/news/field/filled/buffalo_bills_030506.htm

External links

★ Official AstroTurf website

★ Official GeneralSports Venue website

★ History of AstroTurf