James M. Faria and Robert T. Wright of Monsanto Industries co-invented Astroturf (U.S. patent #3332828). A patent for astroturf was filed for on December 25, 1965 and issued by the USPTO on July 25, 1967.

1950s: The Ford Foundation studied ways to improve the physical fitness of young people. They observed that rural folks were more active and fit than urban folks were.

Late 1950s: The Chemstrand Company, a subsidiary of Monsanto Industries were developing new synthetic fibers for use in carpeting. Monsanto was encouraging the use of carpets in schools in conjunction with the Ford Foundation's Educational Facilities Laboratory, headed by Dr. Harold Gores. Dr. Gores suggested that Chemstrand develop the perfect urban playing surface. Gores knew about both the Chemstrand synthetic fiber research and the Ford fitness studies.

1962 - 1966: The Creative Products Group, part of Chemstrand's research organization worked on creating the new playing surface. The surface was tested for foot traction and cushioning, weather drainage, flammability and wear resistance.

1964: The Creative Products Group installs a synthetic turf called Chemgrass at the Moses Brown School in Providence Rhode Island. This was the first large-scale installation of a synthetic turf.

1965: Judge Roy Hofheinz builds the AstroDome in Houston, Texas. Hofheinz consults Monsanto about replacing the natural grass with a new synthetic playing surface.

1966: The Houston Astros' baseball season begins on a Chemgrass surface now renamed Astroturf at the AstroDome.

Fall 1966: The Houston Oilers' AFL football season begins on more than 125,000 square feet of removable Astroturf (AstroDome).

1967: Indiana State University Stadium, in Terre Haute, Indiana becomes the first outdoor stadium installed with Astroturf.

1967: Astroturf patented (U.S. patent #3332828) - A patent for "monofilament ribbon file product” was issued to Wright and Faria, of Monsanto Industries.

1986: Astroturf Industries, Inc. formed.

1994: Astroturf Industries, Inc. bought by Southwest Recreational Industries.

At the International levels, this system is fast becoming the rule versus the exception.

At the polar opposite end of surfaces for Bocce, you will find a very sophisticated synthetic system which is not for the faint of heart. It's the most technically advanced Bocce system available today and only a few companies in the world are capable of installing it correctly. Bocce Builders of America is the only certified company in the United States trained in the process. There is known to be a few more in Italy—but that's it. With a very small niche of customers who can afford this system, we don't see many new companies jumping into this arena as it's very proprietary and extremely technical.

The benefits of a poured-in-place system include extremely low or no maintenance, consistent ball speed, International recognition, durability and wind resistance. It is perfect for high-end residential and commercial application since it affords all the aforementioned benefits along with the Internationally recognized designation as “the official world competition surface.” As you will see in the installation procedure pages, this system involves pouring concrete walls and a concrete base prior to the surface application. The same wood boards are installed as in the “Old World” design, but that's where similarities end. After the concrete has cured for approximately 30-45 days, the concrete is first grinded or scarified to reduce any edges or rough spots. Next, the concrete is sealed with a two part polyurethane sealer, a two part polyurethane adhesive is applied and a specific durometer base mat is installed depending on the desired speed of play. After the base mat is secure, a scratch coat of another polyurethane is troweled on followed by a wear layer and a colored EPDM spray rubber (using some recycled materials for LEED credits) is broadcast into the top wear layer as the wear layer is applied. All of this will make more sense in the description and pictures of the installation to follow.