Castle Inflatables

Inflatable castles are temporary structures that are made from either durable PVC or nylon and vinyl. Inflatable castles are usually powered by an electric or petrol blower. Medium size inflatable castles normally generate 2 KW of electricity power whilst larger ones can consume up to 10 kW of electricity .

The first inflatable structure was designed in 1959 by a man called John Scurlock. The inflatable was designed in Shreveport, Louisiana. John Scurlock also designed the inflatable cushion that is used by rescue services across the world to catch people who jump from buildings or from a height.

The first inflatable castle was massed produced in New Orleans.  In the USA, the Association of Inflatable Rental Company Operators or AIRCO are the largest trade group for companies who rent items such as inflatable castles. This trade group promotes safety and monitors standards.

The Safe Inflatable Operators Training Organisation or SIOTO was also created to train the people who operate inflatable castles.  SIOTO was created by Matthew Mark in 2005.
In 1978, a plastics manufacturer Richard Hopkirk invented the first inflatable castle which had 3 inflatable walls while the front wall was left open for easy entry and exit.  Hopkirk failed to patent his invention and his design is used by many inflatable castle companies today.

Inflatable Castles are usually hand-painted. Due to the components used in the construction of inflatable castles it is usually cheaper for an artist to paint them than to use a printing machine. Hand printing is also the most durable technique but screen printing or digital printing allows pictures of photographic quality to be used on the inflatable castles.

On October the 11th, 2008 the record for the “Longest Marathon on a bouncy castle” was 25 hours, 25 mins and 25 seconds by a team from Northridge High School, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.