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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">{{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 |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 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
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">{{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>
▲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 ==
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" /> 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" />
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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