How Above Ground Pools Originated

The history of above ground pools dates back to World War II and Domain Industries. The U.S. Army was in the market for a way to seal cans containing food so foot soldiers would have something to eat from their packs when there was nothing else available. The canned food was referred to as K-rations. Domain Industries perfected a rubber seal and landed the contract to seal the cans.

Domain Industries renamed their product line that made the can seals during the war to Doughboy Plastics Division. The name was a reflection on the nickname given for the army soldier. This name change took place in 1947, when Domain Industries was entering the outdoor market for family entertainment. The primary products that Doughboy was making at the time were beach balls, toys, and small pools.

These early on ground pools were basically for small children, although Marty Hoffinger invented an above ground pool filter as early as 1945. The first pool built to use for swimming above ground was made of galvanized steel pipe, and it was manufactured by Domain Industries. In the years following WWII, swimming pools became a status symbol for many Americans, but most were the concrete variety and not many people owned them.

Doughboy Plastics eventually was renamed to Doughboy Recreational, and improvements were made to these pools through the years. No one was very interested in pools above ground until they were made more attractive and were constructed with a flat top ledge. The concept of a steel walled pool and a vinyl liner has remained popular for many years.

Marty Hoffinger eventually founded Hoffinger Industries, which purchased Doughboy in 1974. He expanded the company to become the largest A.G. pool manufacturer in the world. The Arkansas based Doughboy is housed in a 660,000 square foot complex that makes everything that goes into its pools in-house from raw materials. Hoffinger's belief was that the only way to control quality was by doing everything yourself.

Although Hoffinger died in 2010, Doughboy still operates much the same way as when he was running the show. It is doubtful that above ground pools would be as popular as they are if it hadn't been for his influence. That influence has led to improved standards for all manufacturers of above ground swimming pools and resulted in better products for consumers.

Above ground pools are very popular and affordable, and their history dates back to the dawn of the personal swimming pool.

David W. Mispilkin has been in the above ground pool installation business for the past 15 years. His experience includes, but not limited to above ground pool and liner sales, repairs, and installations. Over the years, David has installed thousands of above ground pools and liners from various manufacturers and has expertly installed moved and changed pools and liners.