Astro-turf

Astro-turf
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Astro-turf".

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AstroTurf
Type	LLC
Founded	1964
Headquarters	Dalton, Georgia, USA
Key people	Bryan Peeples-President of AstroTurf, Michael Dennis-Chairman and President of GeneralSports Venue, Jon Pritchett-CEO of GeneralSports Venue
Website	http://www.astroturfusa.com/

This article is about artificial grass. For marketing and political campaigning practice, see astroturfing.

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.

1 History
2 Product Timeline
- 2.1 1960s
- 2.2 1970s
- 2.3 1980s
- 2.4 1990s
- 2.5 2000s
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

History

AstroTurf was co-invented in 1964 by James M. Faria and Robert T. Wright, employees of Monsanto. It was 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 1966.

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 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 in the rest of the world.

Product Timeline

1960s

1964

The Moses Brown School in Providence, Rhode Island, installs AstroTurf.³

1965

The Houston Astrodome opens with natural turf and a glass roof which causes glare for the fielders. The glass panes with a view of the sun are painted white, and the grass soon dies. The field's dead grass is replaced with AstroTurf the next year.

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. The first football game played on AstroTurf occurs when the Houston Cougars beat the Washington State Cougars.

1967

AstroTurf is first installed in an outdoor stadium - Indiana State University Stadium, Terre Haute, Indiana.⁴

1968

AstroTurf manufacturing facility opens in Dalton, GA.⁵
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.⁶

1975

AstroTurf is installed at New Orleans Louisiana Superdome⁷ and Pontiac Silverdome.⁸
First international field hockey game played on AstroTurf at Molson Stadium, Montreal.⁹
Cincinnati Reds play World Series on AstroTurf.¹⁰

1976

Cincinnati Reds play back-to-back World Series on AstroTurf.¹¹

1978

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

1980s

1980

1980 World Series is first to be entirely played on AstroTurf as the Philadelphia Phillies (Veterans Stadium) defeat the Kansas City Royals (Royals Stadium) in six games.

1981

Oakland Raiders play Philadelphia Eagles on AstroTurf in Super Bowl XV – Superdome, New Orleans, LA. ¹²

1983

Women's World Cup Hockey (field hockey) games are played on AstroTurf.¹³
AstroTurf installs first North American vertical drainage systems in Ewing, NJ at Trenton State College (now known as The College of New Jersey). ¹⁴

1989

First E-Layer system (Elastomeric) installed at William and Mary, as well as University of California, Berkeley. ¹⁵

1990s

1993

The fourth (and thus far last) World Series to be played entirely on AstroTurf features the Toronto Blue Jays defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4 games to 2.

1996