History of float tubing

Let me start out by saying this I found this all on another site.  I am reading and learning and decided to share here:  Credit goes to Joey Bagels on the FlyFishing Forum.

I have always found this to be very interesting the history behind what we do.  I recently came across someone that shared some old ad's from old magazines to show the beginning evolution of float tube fishing.  So as early as 1895 float tubes were being produced and sold to the public here is one such example.[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

The most of us know fro the beginning the Fish Master (1947) and Tucker Duck and Rubber Fish-n-Float (early to mid ‘40’s). They have been around since the 1940’s and produced basic, canvas-covered inner tubes used by anglers in the south to chase warm freshwater gamefish.
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Trout anglers discovered float tube in the 1970's and 80's.  There where only a small handful of designs at this time, but still articles in magazines started to cover float tube fishing and began to build its popularity.
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In 1981 Del Canty advertised his belly boats for sale and here is there ad. Is it just me or was this hard to understand.
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In 1982 Del Canty advertised there newest creation the U-Tube, one of the first U-Tubes on the market, now this looked like some good advertising back in the day.
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In the early 80's new brands of float tubes started popping up but most did not stick.
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Up to the 80's the traditional round float tube was top of the line and held its place very well as it was a great design and put you on the water. But in in 1991 Wilson Creek and Pete Ross created the U-Boat.
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Wilson Creek and Pete Ross split ways a few years later and Creek Company was born as well as Wood River which made there own version of the U-Boat.
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Fascinating. Thanks for posting.

Last piece of the puzzle the Pontoon Boat aka (Kickboat). The Kickboat enter the scene in 1987 with a boat labeled Kick Boat. If you see in the picture its basically a couple of Pontoons with a platform to sit on. Simple but effective.
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By 1994 Kickboats were is a category all there own and JW Outfitters put there $300 Pontoon out for sale as well.
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Just kind of a fun thing to go through and again I want to thank Joey Bagels on the FlyFishing Forum for posting these ad's and information. Thanks just wanted to share.

Wow, the very first picture reminds me of the ads I saw in the early 70's, with the round tubes and the strap-on kick fins. As a teenager, money was tight and I couldn't afford such luxury when even a good Mepp's spinner was around $0.29 - $0.39.

This is a fascinating thread. I'd be interested to see how float tube design have advanced through the years. Given the Kickboat of 1987, it does not seem that there's been much advancement as that is already a very efficient design.

True I think there has been a lot of changes but the overall design is a great setup and does not need much adjustment. It was fun to put together or show I say read and share. Either way it is great to look at history of things we enjoy you can learn and appreciate it so much more.