Who founded Burton Snowboards in Vermont in 1977?

Jake Burton Carpenter founded Burton Snowboards in Vermont in 1977.

Carpenter began developing snowboards in a barn in Londonderry, Vermont, after becoming interested in the Snurfer, an early snowboard-like toy. He modified the design with bindings and other improvements, aiming to make it easier to control on snow. His company eventually became one of the most influential snowboard manufacturers in the world.

Burton helped move snowboarding from a novelty activity toward an organized sport. The company supported riders, competitions and product development, while Carpenter advocated for snowboard access to ski resorts. In the sport’s early years, many resorts prohibited snowboards, so this campaign was important to snowboarding’s growth.

Carpenter did not invent the Snurfer; Sherman Poppen created that toy in 1965. Tom Sims was another important early snowboard manufacturer. Burton’s lasting contribution was building a large technical and sporting brand around the equipment and culture of snowboarding.