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=== Manufacturing and innovation ===
In the 1950s, as [[car camping]] began to grow in popularity<ref>{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Phoebe S. K. |date=2021-05-08 |title=Camping Was So Popular It Became Basic and Nearly Ruined the ‘Outdoors’ |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/camping-was-so-popular-it-became-basic-and-nearly-ruined-the-outdoors |access-date=2023-01-20}}</ref>, 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.<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 defined by a support system that combined tension and flexibility — a design he patented in 1964.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robison |first=Jonna |date=2021-07-03 |title=Springbar, Maker of Renowned Canvas Tents |url=https://theloadedtrunk.com/springbar-maker-of-renowned-canvas-tents/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=theloadedtrunk.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tent |url=https://www.freepatentsonline.com/3128781.pdf |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=www.freepatentsonline.com}}</ref> The first Springbar tent model, which is still known as the “Traveler,” was 10 by 10 feet, weighed 60 lbs and cost $83.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=aheard |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 Online |language=en-US}}</ref>
The next year, AAA Tent & Awning began selling Springbar canvas tents through its catalog under its Skyliner brand. Kirkham Sr. continued to refine the design over the years, and the Springbar canvas tent became the company’s core product.<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> From this design, he created versions 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=":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> Around this time, all design work was taken over by Kirkham Sr.’s son, Jack Kirkham Jr.
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