Sherman Poppen’s Snurfer To Be Displayed In Smithsonian
anniefast
- June 17 2009
- 1,994 views
- 25 comments
Sherman Poppen built the first Snurfer in 1965—almost twenty years before snowboarding began to catch on. In 1995 at the inaugural Rider’s Poll, TransWorld honored Sherman with the first ever Tranny Award, which acknowledged achievements in excellence by individuals who brought a lasting and important contribution to the growth and development of the snowboarding industry. What could be more important of a contribution that the board itself?
But it looks like our acknowledgment has been completely overshadowed, according to an article in Sherman Poppen’s hometown paper, The Muskegon Chronicle, the Smithsonian has accepted three original Snurfers and scans of the original paperwork for his invention. According to the article, “Poppen’s display is expected to be part of the offerings at The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention & Innovation. Located in the National Museum of American History, The Lemelson Center is dedicated to exploring invention in history and encouraging inventive creativity in young people.”
Congratulations to the grandfather of snowboarding!
Read the full article here.
Back in the day … footage of two snurfers in 1968 shot on super 8mm film.
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June 17th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
WSC
June 17th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
W.S.C.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
They look suspiciously like water skis???
June 17th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
loved the vid, they could rip, nice pow!
June 17th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Wow cool article. My uncle was telling me about riding that thing back in the day- just squirrely as hell. Way to go, Mr. Poppen!
June 17th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
that was the best vid i’ve seen on here in a while. such sick pow and good riding. and you have to hand it to them on those fresh ass kits. lookin sharp. great story.
June 18th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
they have nice steez
June 18th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Pretty sure that footage was shot this past winter by the Ashbury crew.
June 18th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Do those guys still use to snowboard? How old are they now?
June 18th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
hahahahahahaha. thts best comment seen on here. so true.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Ashbury should come out with this shit. I would be down to do that.
June 19th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I believe it’s called NO BOARDING -
June 19th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
DAMN THESE DUDES CAN RIP IT UP ON THOSE!!!!!!!!!
June 19th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
this is amazing! its nice to see people are digitizing their super 8mm film! i work for a company that does that if anyone needs their super 8 converted email me at chase100mill@live.com
June 21st, 2009 at 9:36 am
I should be in the Smithsonian for inventing goofy footed riding. haha
June 21st, 2009 at 8:13 pm
what a fresh webisode, with all of the hating that goes down in these posts, whats to hate on this? This stuff is pure. virgin. This is snowboarding. whomever put this edit together, thank you.
June 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
raw doggin it
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:19 am
Hello Everyone.
I can assure you all that this footage is 100% real. I am a film producer and actually happen to be the editor of this footage as well as the son of the snurfer in the bowler hat. I digitized his old super 8mm film to make a short video for the olympic park musuem in Park City Utah. Then I also posted it on You Tub and it has gone big since then. Let me know if you have any questions.
Jake Sorensen
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I agree. That was really cool
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Jake Sorensen,
Thanks for digitizing the super 8mm and getting it out there for us to vies. I am speechless. Basically footage of the birth of snowboarding!
My original Snurfer I rode back in the late 70’s is hanging on my wall downstairs.
June 25th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
inspiring thanks
June 28th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
i could watch that over and over
June 29th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Sick (and artsy) cornice drop at 1:55
Know your roots kids.
Will have to check out the Smithsonian when the exhibit is ready.
August 18th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
this seriously almost made me cry where would i be without this sport