Artificial Grass – How and Why it Was Invented

A wide range of people enjoy the benefits of synthetic grass every single day. From professional athletes to schoolchildren, astro turf helps provide a level and safe surface for a broad array of different people. More likely than not, you’ve played on artificial grass before; are you curious to learn how it was invented? If so, keep reading.

AstroTurf: The Beginning;

In the decade of the nineteen-sixties, a business named Chemstrand were searching for new types of artificial playing surfaces for athletic activities. During the course of the research and development process, the company sought to create a kind of “tough carpeting.” As they looked into this possibility, they were approached by the Ford Foundation, who were eager to find a solution for urban sports surfaces. Between 1962 and 1966, Chemstrand worked feverishly on this request.

A Solution For Urban Sports Players;

Living in the city brings many great benefits, but one drawback is that there are few – if any – grassy areas upon which people can play and enjoy sports. This is especially concerning to conscientious parents who want their children to run, play and get adequate amounts of exercise. Spurred on by this need, the Ford Foundation prompted Chemstrand to begin its research into creating a tough urban sports surface. A multitude of different types of surfaces were created during the 5 plus years that Chemstrand went to work on the idea, and it was one of those varieties that became the artificial grass we know this day.

Artificial Grass Takes Off –

In 1964, the first large-scale installation of synthetic turf took place at the Moses Brown School in Rhode Island in the United States. As was expected, it was installed due to the lack of green space in this urban region and was used to help schoolchildren have the space to run around as needed. Additionally, the material was used because it minimised slipping and provided a safer surface than concrete and other alternatives. In short order, the popularity of synthetic turf took off.

AstroTurf Is Born –

The most important event in the history of synthetic grass occurred in the year 1966. That’s when the Houston Astrodome – home of baseball’s Houston Astros and football’s Houston Oilers – installed a Chemgrass surface for the first time. Soon thereafter, several other major stadiums started using the material, which was renamed “AstroTurf” and patented in the United States in 1967. In the ensuing years, this remarkable material has been used by countless sports facilities, schools and other places to help provide a safe, even playing surface for adults and children alike. There’s no doubt that synthetic grass is here to stay.