The History of Moonwalks

Moonwalks have come a long way since their birth over 50 years ago. Creator John Scurlock of Shreveport, Louisiana could hardly have imagined the popularity his simple air cushion would have half a century later. Scurlock was a mechanical engineer and inventor of the inflatable rescue pad used by fire fighters to catch victims jumping from tall buildings. In 1959, Scurlock’s employees found his inflatable tennis court cover to be more fun when bounced on. This inspired Scurlock to create an inflatable floor specifically for recreational purposes, and birthday parties haven’t been the same since. Scurlock was a former NASA employee and there is no doubt that the world’s obsession with walking on the moon at that time helped launch the “Space Walk” in its initial introduction into the marketplace. However, it is the simplistic joy these inflatables inspire that has kept the world’s interest and earned the moonwalk a place in popular culture history.

Today, the industry has grown to include inflatable marketing, obstacle courses, interactive games, water slides, and hundreds of variations on the “moonwalk” or “bounce house.” These popular rentals are staples not only at children’s birthday parties, but city fairs, company picnics, school events and corporate team-building workshops. Designs range from simple colors on a square bounce house for five children to elaborate inflatable obstacle courses featuring a forty foot tall Tyrannosaurus Rex. So, the next time you find yourself whizzing down a 36 foot tall inflatable space shuttle slide, remember this attraction’s humble beginnings five decades ago and marvel at how far it has come.