Cheerleading has become a powerful display of athleticism in its own right with its entertaining array of stunts, dance and tumbling. The rise of competitive cheerleading has increased the demand for effective, safe equipment.
The Megaphone
In the 1880s, the megaphone was picked up by a medical student named Johnny Campbell in an effort to rally supporters for his losing team. The University of Minnesota was on a losing streak, and Campbell used the megaphone to emit the first organized cheer. The megaphone was invented in the 1600s for image projection and despite its introduction at this particular game, didn't gain popularity for use in cheerleading in the early 1900s. The megaphone has since become an iconic representation of the cheerleading world.
Spirit Sticks and Pom Pons
The organization of cheers and chants for sports teams led to the organization of male spirit squads. By 1923, women began joining the squads, and tumbling was introduced to cheerleading during the same decade. Lawrence "Herkie" Herkimer organized the first camp for cheerleaders in 1948 and introduced the world to the Herkie jump, spirit stick and pom pons.
Uniforms
As cheerleading became more of an organized activity in the 1900s, complete with yell leaders and structured chants, the uniform came into existence. As a representation of the school itself, generally the uniforms had the first letter of the school sewn onto a sweater. In the 1960s, the NFL began introducing cheerleading squads on the sidelines. The uniforms were flashier and became a part of the entertainment. As fashion and the athleticism of cheerleading evolved, so did the uniform.
Mats, Mats and Tumble Tracks
Cheerleading as we know it today is more of a sport than a sideline activity. The athleticism and power required for cheerleading has placed a demand for safer flooring. Cheerleading squads and competitions began enforcing the use of spring floors, such as those used for competitive gymnasts. Much of the equipment used today for teaching tumbling such as tumble tracks, trampolines, and handspring machines have made their way to the cheerleading world from the equipment used for gymnastics.
Member Comments