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'''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" /><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
== 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 |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
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
The first Springbar tent model, which is still known as the “Traveler,” was 10 by 10 feet, weighed 60 pounds, 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
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" />
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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.<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><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> 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 [[expeditions]], including at Mount Everest base camps, and many have been purchased by the [[Utah National Parks Council]] over the years.<ref name=":2" /><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 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 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 ==
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 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" />
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Springbar tents have been widely noted among outdoor enthusiasts, brands and publications for their functionality and versatility, and they have been popular over the years among backwoods and car campers, outfitters, and horse packers.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":7" /> 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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