Henry B Eaton develops inexpensive portable platform helping to grow the game

From head to toe Killy Kilmarx and Kip Couch introduced a certain sartorial splendor to the game
From head to toe Killy Kilmarx and Kip Couch introduced a certain sartorial splendor to the game

Fox Meadow Tennis Club member and former FMTC President (1936) Henry B Eaton, designed a collapsible platform that could be laid on an existing tennis court during the off-tennis season without damaging it. Eaton talked the New York lumber company company he worked for and the the forerunner of the Gates Sports Platform Company, to make the Eaton portable platform. The court was easy to transport and set up and only cost about $500, which made it affordable even during the Depression. These easy to install and cheap platforms were invaluable in growing the game.

Source: Adapted from Fessenden S. Blanchard, Platform Paddle Tennis, 1959

Historical Factoid: Eaton’s wife, Jean Eaton, was the winner of the Women’s Doubles and Singles Nationals in 1935 (the inaugural tournaments) and the Women’s Doubles in 1936.