Springbar: Difference between revisions

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{{orphan|date=July 2023}}

{{AFC submission|d|corp|u=Xlea Nollmav|ns=118|decliner=CNMall41|declinets=20230412195822|ts=20230411213809}} <!-- Do not remove this line! -->

{{AFC submission|d|adv|u=Xlea Nollmav|ns=118|decliner=Greenman|declinets=20230222222012|small=yes|ts=20230206221016}} <!-- Do not remove this line! -->

{{AFC submission|d|adv|u=Xlea Nollmav|ns=118|decliner=AngusWOOF|declinets=20230117181914|small=yes|ts=20230117175018}} <!-- Do not remove this line! -->

{{Short description|American brand of canvas tent from 1961}}

{{AFC comment|1=Even with everything referenced and promotional tone fixed, the company does not meet [[WP:NCORP]]. References in the draft fail [[WP:ORGCRIT]] and a quick search online found nothing better. [[User:CNMall41|CNMall41]] ([[User talk:CNMall41|talk]]) 19:58, 12 April 2023 (UTC)}}

{{AFC comment|1=The submission is still exceptionally promotional. There is a reason [[WP:COI]] editing is strongly discouraged. [[User:Greenman|Greenman]] ([[User talk:Greenman|talk]]) 22:20, 22 February 2023 (UTC)}}

{{AFC comment|1=A lot of advertising verbiage about quality and other promotional tones is still in the article. Needs to be rewritten neutrally by someone not associated with the company.

Whole sections of the article remain unreferenced and seem to point to website's Our History sections rather than independent coverage by external news sources. [[User:AngusWOOF|<strong><span style="color: #606060;" class="nowrap">AngusW🐶🐶F</span></strong>]] ([[User talk:AngusWOOF#top|<span style=" color: #663300;">bark</span>]] • [[Special:Contributions/AngusWOOF|<span style="color: #006600;">sniff</span>]]) 18:19, 17 January 2023 (UTC)}}

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{{Short description|brand of canvas tent}}

{{Draft topics|north-america|business-and-economics}}

{{AfC topic|product}}

{{Paid contributions|date=November 2022}}

[[File:Springbar Tent.jpg|alt=Springbar Canvas Vagabond Tent|thumb|Springbar Canvas Vagabond Tent]]

'''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 |year=1978 |pages=111 |language=en}}</ref> It is defined by a support system that combines tension and flexibility, as well as its mid-centurysimple 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><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Singer |first=Emily |date=2017-06-16 |title=A Mid-Century Car Camping Icon Is Being Revived |url=http://gearpatrol.com/home/a365227/springbar-canvas-tent/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Gear Patrol |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=":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><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>

'''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)]] |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 |year=1978 |pages=111 |language=en}}</ref> It is defined by a support system that combines tension and flexibility, as well as its mid-century 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><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Singer |first=Emily |date=2017-06-16 |title=A Mid-Century Car Camping Icon Is Being Revived |url=http://gearpatrol.com/home/a365227/springbar-canvas-tent/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Gear Patrol |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=":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><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>

== 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=2023-04-26 |website=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1author=JuneThe 20Salt Lake Tribune|first1date={{!}}June Posted-20, |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>

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><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singer |first=Emily |date=2017-06-16 |title=A Mid-Century Car Camping Icon Is Being Revived |url=http://gearpatrol.com/home/a365227/springbar-canvas-tent/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Gear Patrol |language=en-US}}</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" />

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> In 1976, the company entered into an agreement with British company KEB International to distribute Springbar tents.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Deseret News {{!}} 1976-06-28 {{!}} Page 41 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=26351929 |access-date=2023-01-23 |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 |lastauthor=Donvan,ABC Burbank |first=John, MaggieNews |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><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last1=Coolector |first1=Leo DavieLeo is the owner of The |last2=Loves |first2=Writes About the Stuff He |last3=Likes |first3=Some Stuff That He Merely |date=2022-10-11 |title=6 of the best tents from Springbar® for Fall Camping |url=https://www.thecoolector.com/6-of-the-best-tents-from-springbar-for-fall-camping/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=The Coolector {{!}} Online Men's Lifestyle Magazine {{!}} Design, Gear & Fashion |language=en-US}}</ref> In the 1970s, Western River Expeditions began offering trips to [[Micronesia]] in Springbar modular tents.<ref name=":2" />

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" />

== Products ==

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" /><ref name=":11" /> The tent's exterior is made of 100 percent [[cotton duck]] canvas, a heavy woven fabric known for being more tightly woven than plain canvas, and features lap-felled seams.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite webThey |last=MensGearcan |date=2017-06-27be |title=Springbarmore Highline Canvas Tent |url=https://mensgear.net/2017/06/springbar-highline-canvas-tent.html |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Men's Gear |language=en-US}}</ref> The Springbar tent design has remained largely unchanged over the yearsexpensive and hasheavier inspired a number ofthan other Springbar modelscompetitors.<ref name=":46" />

{{TOC left}}

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, and2023 they}}</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 nameweb |title="Camping, a new trendy travel style (II)_EYESHENZHEN |url=http:7"//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" />

== References ==

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{{reflist}}

[[Category:Companies established in 1944]]

[[Category:Companies based in Utah]]

[[Category:Sporting goods brands]]