Aerotrim

An aerotrim is a gyroscope large enough to contain a human being, used for cardiovascular workout and equilibrioception (balance) training in pilots and astronauts. Aerotrims enjoyed worldwide popularity in gyms during the 1980s, but are now out of production outside of professional applications. A handful of machines are still in circulation, largely used for entertainment at fairs and events and as sci-fi showpieces in movies and television. Several companies around the world have picked up the idea and produced their own version with slight changes. One of the originals, made in Korea, can be found in Slovenia at Aerotrim Ekopool Celje.

The earliest patents for gyroscopic devices built to carry humans dates back up to 1907 (Patent #846925). There were several attempts at similar machines throughout the following 80 years by various inventors. Several of them, such as the 1907 and the 1920 version, in rectangular shape. The first round human gyroscope patent application however was July 1964 (Patent #3141669).

The Aerotrim as it is known today was originally conceived in the early eighties by Helmut Suchy, an Austrian inventor, as a therapy for his ailing spine. Friends suggested its potential for gyms and hospitals (Patent #4799667). Suchy built the first prototype in his garage, attached to the walls, but it lacked general safety precautions and decent foot attachment mechanism. Only people of a certain height could ride it.

Based on a profit sharing agreement, Mr. Suchy, who unsuccessfully had applied for a patent in Austria, passed on the rights to the German entrepreneur Hermann Dittrich, who through his import-export company Contactos Trading, GmbH at great cost applied internationally for patent. Mr. Dittrich also chose the name Aerotrim over Suchy’s original 3D-Fun. Needing to make it safer, he came up with handles, the overhead hand protectors made of Plexiglas and the height-adjustable foot mechanism that allowed even children (of a minimum height) to use the machine. As a result, it even passed the German Technischer Überwachungsverein (TÜV) safety inspections. Contactos looked worldwide for manufacturers. Aerotrims began production in Germany, Korea, Taiwan and the United States, where negotiations started to form a company named “Gyrotec” with the renowned US ski manufacturer Hart Ski Company and other investors. Contactos launched its own coordinated ad campaign single-handed, first in Germany and globally over the next few years.

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Wikipedia