So where did it all start? and who came up with the idea of artificial grass and where did Astro Turf come from. This short document explains the history of artificial grass and Astro Turf, and is provided to help students with research and anyone else who would like to know the history of artificial grass.
The first Patent for a domestic and outdoor sport artificial grass was registered in the US at the United States Patent Office on July 25 1976, Patent no. 3332828. This was registered by James M Faria and Robert T Wright for the Monsanto Company Inc. for a monofilament ribbon surface that later become ‘Astro Turf’. To view the patent visit www.uspto.gov. This provides the original drawings and make up of the newly designed artificial grass. To download the patent viewer visit www.internetiff.com. The original name of the new grass monsanto produced was Chemgrass, which was installed into the Astro-dome in Houston, and in 1966 Chemgrass was renamed Asto Turf.
The main outline of the patent was to produce a product to simulate grasses for a variety of leisure and sport uses. The early versions of the Astro Turf were produced to provide a decorative use but not to withstand outdoor sport and leisure use. Later versions of Astro Turf were designed to provide a weather resistant turf constructed from synthetic materials which is suitable for permanent outdoor use and capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions for several months with low degradations. Other points noted in the patent was that for ” turf which will be used outdoors the acrylic fibers are preferred because of their excellent weather resistant properties”
FreshGreen was the first company that has invested heavily in research through its research lab and university partners while maintaining extremely low cost overhead. FreshGreen breaks the near monopoly industry by providing the most ‘natural’ looking artificial grass that customers never encountered before at significantly lower price. Our factory has over 25 years experience in manufacturing. We are the leader in low cost production. We focus on research, technology and innovation to bring the most beautiful, natural and highest quality artificial turf into the market.
History of Astro Truf
1967 PATENT FOR MONOFILAMENT PRODUCT WAS FILED AND ISSUED TO MONSANTO INDUSTRIES (James M Faria and Robert T Wright)
1986 ASTROTURF INDUSTRIES, INC. CORPORATION DELAWARE 809 KENNER STREET DALTON GEORGIA 30721
2004 SOUTHWEST RECREATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INC. CORPORATION ASSIGNEE OF TEXAS P.O. BOX 589 701 LEANDER DRIVE LEANDER TEXAS 78646
Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc, who held the rights to making AstroTurf, went out of business after filing for bankruptcy in 2004.
Current Owner ASTRO TURF, LLC
Further Information and Resources
www.about.com: Full time line for the design and conception of artificial grass (including pictures from patent)
