AstroTurf

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.

History

A sample of Astroturf.

AstroTurf was co-invented in 1965 by Donald L. Elbert, 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 by the Patent 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] 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, Camp Randall Stadium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison also installed the surface that year..

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 Superdome^[7] 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]

1984

• 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

• Atlanta Olympic Field Hockey installs AstroTurf System.^[16]

1997

• Whitchurch High School becomes the first school in Wales to put in a full size AstroTurf field

1999

• Real Madrid C.F. (Spain) become the first European football club to purchase an AstroTurf system for their practice fields.^[17]

2000s

2002 Northolt High School becomes the first school in England to put in a full size AstroTurf field.

2002

• Buffalo Bills install AstroTurf system in Ralph Wilson Stadium.^[18]

2007

• South Pasadena High School is one of the first high schools to install AstroTurf in California.

• Falls City High School^[19] Falls City, Nebraska high school installs artificial turf. Both FCHS (public school) and Sacred Heart (private Catholic school) use the field for home games.

2008

• Tuscola and Pisgah high schools in Haywood County, NC install artificial turf surfaces.

• Good Counsel College, New Ross Installed artificial turf surfaces.

Popular culture

Tug McGraw, then pitcher for the New York Mets, was asked by a reporter in 1974 whether he preferred grass or AstroTurf. McGraw replied, "I dunno - I never smoked AstroTurf", a tongue-in-cheek reference to marijuana use.

See also

• Artificial turf
• Astroturfing
• List of AstroTurf installations in the USA
• Omniturf
• Kodiak_sports

References

External links

• Official AstroTurf website
• Official GeneralSports Venue website
• History of AstroTurf
• 2008 case study on AstroTurf brand published in Inc. Magazine