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{{orphan|date=July 2023}}
{{Short description|American brand of canvas tent from 1961}}▼
▲{{Short description|brand of canvas tent}}
{{Paid contributions|date=November 2022}}
[[File:Springbar
'''Springbar''' is an American brand of [[canvas]] [[tent]]. The original Springbar tent dates back to 1961, when Arthur Jack Kirkham Sr. created the first Springbar tent design, which he sold through his company AAA Tent & Awning Co. Kirkham's design was intended to allow for easy setup, enhanced durability, and comfort.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gifford |first=Bill |date=2022-07-26 |title=How Springbar Became the Airstream Trailer of Tents |url=https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/camping/springbar-canvas-tents/ |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=[[Outside (magazine)|Outside]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Netherby |first=Steve |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5sFwGxiDXVAC&dq=springbar+tent&pg=PA111 |title="Backing Up" |date=November 1978 |publisher=Field & Stream |pages=111 |language=en}}</ref> It is defined by a support system that combines tension and flexibility, as well as its simple style.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Fly |first=Chase |date=2022-10-03 |title=Springbar Classic Jack Canvas Tent Review (Hot Tent Ready) |url=https://outdoorempire.com/springbar-classic-jack-tent-review/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Outdoor Empire |language=en-US}}</ref> Springbar is one of the oldest canvas tent [[Manufacturing|manufacturers]] in the U.S. and is one of the oldest outdoor equipment manufacturers in [[Utah]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Salt Lake Tribune {{!}} 1994-07-24 {{!}} Page 61 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29396065 |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}</ref>
▲[[File:Springbar-tent-main-hero.jpg|alt=Springbar canvas tent in the desert|thumb|Springbar's Vagabond model tent. ]]
== History ==
Springbar began as AAA Tent & Awning Co. in 1944, when Arthur Jack Kirkham Sr. purchased the company upon his return to Salt Lake City after serving as a Naval draftsman in the [[U.S. Military|U.S. military]] during World War II.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aaa Tent & Awning Co - Company Profile and News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0395906D:US |access-date=2023-
In the 1950s, as [[car camping]] began to grow in popularity, Kirkham Sr. began working on a tent design that would be easier to set up than the traditional pole-and-rope style tents of the time and provide room to move around in.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Lake Tribune {{!}} 1994-07-24 {{!}} Page 63 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29396067 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}</ref> He invented the original “Springbar” canvas tent in 1961, which was easy to pitch, yet durable, and had a spacious interior.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Rees |first=Claire F. |date=April 1972 |title=A New Concept In Tents |language=en |pages=184 |work=[[Field & Stream]] |publisher= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dh5jqjxIb5UC&dq=Springbar+tent&pg=PA184}}</ref><ref name=":5" />
▲Springbar began as AAA Tent & Awning Co. in 1944,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aaa Tent & Awning Co - Company Profile and News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0395906D:US |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref> when Arthur Jack Kirkham Sr. purchased the company upon his return to Salt Lake City after serving as a Naval draftsman in the [[U.S. Military|U.S. military]] during World War II.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=June 20 |first={{!}} Posted- |last2=P.m |first2=2008 at 1:14 |title=Utah outdoor store founder dead at 89 |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/3579580/utah-outdoor-store-founder-dead-at-89 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}}</ref> The storefront was originally located at 140 E. 200 South Street in Salt Lake City, moved to 24 W. 5th S. Street in 1967, and incorporated in 1960.
In 1966, [[The Coleman Company|Coleman Co.]] became the first brand to license to manufacture and sell its own Springbar canvas tents under a licensing agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Lake Tribune {{!}} 2001-06-24 {{!}} Page 62 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=27840811 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Lake Tribune {{!}} 1969-05-11 {{!}} Page 42 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=26523531 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}</ref>
The company was renamed Springbar in 2019 and moved to its current ___location, in [[Millcreek, Utah]], where the company continues to manufacture many of its Springbar canvas tents by hand.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Springbar |url=https://companyweek.com/article/springbar |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=CompanyWeek |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=ABC News |date=May 26, 2009 |title=Made in the U.S.A.; Sold ... Nowhere? |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=7679584&page=1 |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> Springbar tents are also manufactured in the company's partner factory in China.<ref name=":10" />
Springbar canvas tents have been used on numerous outdoor [[Exploration|expeditions]], including at Mount Everest base camps, and many have been purchased by the [[Utah National Parks Council]] over the years. In the 1970s, Western River Expeditions began offering trips to [[Micronesia]] in Springbar modular tents.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2008-07-06 |title=Kirkham's genius gave us comfort |url=https://www.deseret.com/2008/7/6/20262467/kirkham-s-genius-gave-us-comfort |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>
▲In 1966, [[The Coleman Company|Coleman Co.]] became the first brand to license to manufacture and sell its own Springbar canvas tents under a licensing agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Lake Tribune {{!}} 2001-06-24 {{!}} Page 62 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=27840811 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Lake Tribune {{!}} 1969-05-11 {{!}} Page 42 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=26523531 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}</ref> The company established the Springbar lightweight nylon tent [[wholesale]] program in 1976, with dealers in the U.S. That same year, the company entered into an agreement with British company KEB International to distribute Springbar tents.<ref name=":3" />
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], in 2020, Springbar began [[sewing]] [[personal protective equipment]], including [[Medical gown|medical gowns]], for [[Health care|healthcare]] workers treating [[COVID-19]] patients.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Utah companies change plans, and make new products, to join the COVID-19 battle |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/05/18/utah-companies-change/ |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":10" />▼
The first Springbar tent model, which is still known as the “Traveler,” was 10 by 10 feet, weighed 60 pounds, and cost $83 in 1962.<ref name=":0" /> Kirkham Sr. improved upon the Springbar design over the years and, from it, created models of varying sizes and features — from a two-person tent to a large modular tent called the Leisure Port, which campers could add rooms onto.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> The Springbar tent design has remained largely unchanged over the years and has inspired a number of other Springbar models.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2021-02-26 |title=Filson x Springbar Outfitter Tent — Handcrafted in Utah |url=https://www.filson.com/blog/materials-and-gear/filson-x-springbar-outfitter-tent-handcrafted-in-salt-lake-city-utah/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=The Filson Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
Springbar tents are defined by a support system that combines tension and flexibility, which includes pole reinforcements and tension rods made with [[spring steel]].<ref name=":6" /> The tent's exterior is made of 100 percent [[cotton duck]] canvas and features lap-felled seams.<ref name=":5" /> They can be more expensive and heavier than other competitors.<ref name=":6" />
Springbar tents have been widely noted among outdoor enthusiasts, brands and publications for their easy set up, functionality and versatility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shea|first=Michael R.|date=2019-08-29 |title=The Best Outdoor Gear for Camping Trips with Kids |url=https://www.fieldandstream.com/best-outdoor-gear-for-camping-trips-with-kids/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Field & Stream |language=en-US |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203164542/https://www.fieldandstream.com/best-outdoor-gear-for-camping-trips-with-kids/ |archive-date=Dec 3, 2023 }}</ref><ref name=":6" /> They have been popular over the years among backwoods and car campers, outfitters, and horse packers.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Camping, a new trendy travel style (II)_EYESHENZHEN |url=http://www.eyeshenzhen.com/content/2021-07/20/content_24406974.htm |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=www.eyeshenzhen.com}}</ref> Outdoor publications, including ''[[Field & Stream]]'', have cited the ability of Springbar tents to withstand the elements, including strong winds, rains, and snow.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />
▲During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], in 2020, Springbar began [[sewing]] [[personal protective equipment]], including [[Medical gown|medical gowns]], for [[Health care|healthcare]] workers treating [[COVID-19]] patients.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Utah companies change plans, and make new products, to join the COVID-19 battle |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/05/18/utah-companies-change/ |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Companies established in 1944]]
[[Category:Companies based in Utah]]
[[Category:Sporting goods brands]]
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