Springbar: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 07:49, 27 April 2023

Revision as of 14:13, 27 April 2023

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{{Paid contributions|date=November 2022}}

'''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. 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> Kirkham's design was intended to allow for easy setup, enhanced durability, and comfort.<ref name=":0" /><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><ref>{{Cite book |last=Inc |first=Active Interest Media |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7d8DAAAAMBAJ&dq=springbar+tent&pg=PA59 |title=Backpacker |date=June 1978 |publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc. |language=en}}</ref> It is defined by a support system that combines tension and flexibility, which includes pole reinforcements and tension rods made with [[spring steel]], 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>{{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> The tent’s exterior is made of 100 percent [[cotton duck]] canvas exterior, a heavy woven fabric known for being more tightly woven than plain canvas, and features lap-felled seams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Golden Era Car Camping Tent Is Back and Better Than Ever |url=https://www.insidehook.com/article/gear/buy-springbar-camping-tents-highline-or-american-made |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=InsideHook |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=MensGear |date=2017-06-27 |title=Springbar 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 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>{{TOC left}}Springbar tents have been widely cited for their functionality and versatility and have been popular over the years among backwoods and car campers, outfitters, and horse packers.<ref name=":4" /><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> They have been known for their ability to withstand the elements, including strong winds, rains, and snow.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />

Springbar tents are hand cut and sewn in the company’s [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]], factory as well as its partner factory in China.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donvan, Burbank |first=John, Maggie |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><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><ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Lake Tribune {{!}} 1972-02-29 {{!}} Page 6 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=26590514 |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}</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" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Lake Tribune {{!}} 1986-05-18 {{!}} Page 103 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29260431 |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

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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 |last1=June 20 |first1={{!}} 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><ref name=":8" />

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 would provide ample space.<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><ref name=":5" /> He invented the original “Springbar” canvas tent in 1961, which was easy to pitch, yet durable, and had a spacious interior.<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=2023-04-26 |website=theloadedtrunk.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":5" /> He received a patent for his design in 1964.<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 lbspounds, and cost $83.<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> 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">{{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><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=":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>{{Cite web |title=Deseret News {{!}} 1971-05-15 {{!}} Page 24 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=26389764 |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |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> In 1976, the company entered into an agreement with British company KEB International to distribute Springbar tents.<ref name=":3" />

In 1998, Jack Kirkham Jr., already the lead tent designer at the time, purchased the business from his father, in 1998. Jack Kirkham Sr. passed away, in 2008, at the age of 90 after making significant contributions to the camping industry.<ref name=":1" /> He eventually held eight tent patents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Provo Daily Herald {{!}} 2008-06-21 {{!}} Page 7 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23606628 |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]], just east of downtown Salt Lake City, 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>

Springbar canvas tents have been used on numerous outdoor [[expeditions]], including at Mount Everest base camps, and many have been purchased by the [[Utah National Parks Council]], as well as other adventure groups, over the years.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":7" /> In 1976, the company sent Springbar modular tents to the U.S. Bicentennial Celebration to house 40 UK Scouts for 14 days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sun Advocate {{!}} 1976-06-17 {{!}} Page 26 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=25332223 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}</ref> In the 1970s, Western River Expeditions offeredbegan offering trips to [[Micronesia]] in Springbar modular tents, beginning in 1978.<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" />