How did Sherman Poppen create the first Snurfer?

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In 1965, engineer Sherman Poppen of Muskegon, Michigan, created the "Snurfer," a prototype widely considered the first snowboard.

Poppen developed the device as a toy for his daughters by bolting two snow skis together. He later added a rope to the front of the board to provide the rider with a means of steering. The name "Snurfer" was coined by his wife, who combined the words "snow" and "surfing" to describe the act of sliding sideways on the snow. Because the design was simple and required no specialized bindings or boots, it became a commercial success, with approximately one million units sold by the end of the 1970s.12