Sherm Poppen Explained

Sherm Poppen
Birth Name:Sherman Robert Poppen
Birth Date:25 March 1930
Birth Place:Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.
Death Place:Griffin, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation:Engineer, inventor
Spouse:
Louise Kelly

Sherman Robert Poppen (March 25, 1930 – July 31, 2019), also known as Sherm Poppen and Sherman Poppen, was an American engineer and inventor. He was known for inventing snowboarding in 1965.[1]

Life and career

Poppen was born in Muskegon, Michigan. He attended Northwestern University, earning a bachelor's degree in business.[2] He was a supply officer in the navy.[3]

Poppen was an industrial gases engineer.[4]

In 1965, Poppen invented a toy for his daughters by lashing a pair of 36-inch wooden snow skis side by side.[5] The toy was named the snurfer.[6] It gained popularity and the rights was given to Brunswick Corporation, a manufacturing company.

Poppen died on July 31, 2019, at his home in Griffin, Georgia,[7] at the age of 89.[8] [9]

Notes and References

  1. News: Stoked for competition. The Herald-Sun. Durham, North Carolina. February 8, 1998. April 27, 2024. 48. Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Sherm Poppen, a Dad Who Fathered the Snowboard, Dies at 89. Richard. Sandomir. The New York Times. August 9, 2019. April 27, 2024.
  3. News: Sherm Poppen, a grandfather of snowboarding, dies at 89. The Washington Post. August 11, 2019. April 27, 2024. Harrison. Smith.
  4. News: Time to send sequined ones down the hill. Morning Sentinel. Waterville, Maine. February 21, 2002. April 27, 2024. 19. Newspapers.com.
  5. News: Snow Surfing Becomes New Winter Sport. The South Bend Tribune. South Bend, Indiana. January 26, 1975. April 27, 2024. 98. Newspapers.com.
  6. Book: Murdico, Suzanne J.. Snowboarding: Techniques and Tricks. 6. Rosen Publishing Group. 2003. 9780823938490. Google Books.
  7. Web site: Sherman Poppen, inventor of the snowboard, dies at 89. Associated Press. The Seattle Times. August 12, 2019. April 27, 2024.
  8. Web site: Sherm Poppen, Who Invented the Snowboard Prototype for His Two Daughters, Dies at 89. Jason. Hahn. People. August 12, 2019. April 27, 2024.
  9. Web site: Sherm Poppen, inventor of the Snurfer who became known as the 'father' of snowboarding – obituary. The Telegraph. August 15, 2019. April 27, 2024.

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