Tartan track is a trademarked all-weather synthetic track surfacing made of polyurethane used for track and field competitions, manufactured by 3M. The original production was in 1967, and the product was later reformulated to eliminate the use of mercury.
Because the "Tartan" product was widely successful in its time, the name Tartan has been used as a genericized trademark for description of an all-weather running track.[1][2]
Athletic Polymer Systems, a subsidiary of MCP Industries, Inc., manages the installation of Tartan-branded running track.
History
According to Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M), developed its "Tartan" track and turf products in the late 1950s, and Sports Illustrated called its development a breakthrough in 1963.[3] The track product was made for running and horseracing tracks and the turf was made for stadiums.[3] These were the first man made track and turf for athletics. Tartan track was tested for use at a track and field competition in the Los Angeles Coliseum as early as 1959.[3]
The first recorded use of a Tartan Track surface in competition in England was a long jump at the Norman Green Sports Centre in Solihull, September 16, 1967,[4] though there were earlier uses in the United States.
The 1968 Summer Olympics at Mexico City was the first Olympic Games to use the Tartan track surface in athletics.
See also
External links
References
- Shercock AC Sign Contracts For New Tartan Track Athletics Ireland, 2009-03-25, retrieved 2014-01-30^
- example 2 of generic use of term Coloribus.com, retrieved 2014-01-30^
- 3M. A Century of Innovation: The 3M Story 2002, retrieved August 13, 2023