Jake Burton: Burton SnowboardsWhen you think of snowboarding, more often than not, Burton is the first brand that comes to mind. The most popular brand in the world was thus created by one man: Jake Burton. His vision to turn what was once considered a fad into the most popular extreme sport in the world was truly incredible. The challenges he has overcome, from ski resorts not allowing snowboarders to cancer, are a true testament to his dedication and passion in bringing this sport, and lifestyle, to what it is today. In this article I will talk about how he turned a wooden board into a nearly $1 billion a year company. Many people, especially those who are new to snowboarding, think that Jake Burton invented snowboarding. He didn't. He simply made snowboarding what it is today by innovating the Snurfer into what modern snowboarding is today. The most popular argument about who and where snowboarding was invented is based in Muskegon, MI. Sherman Poppen, a businessman, was called by his pregnant wife at Christmas 1965 to get the children out of the house. Unable to find a sled for his two girls to use, he took two downhill skis and tied them together, hoping they would use them as a sled. Instead, he found the two girls getting up and sliding down the sand dune behind their house. Within a year he patented the toy and it was purchased by Brunswick Corp. Over the next few years, Snurfing became very popular and many competitions arose, including the Snurfing Championships on Blockhouse Hill behind Muskegon County Community College. In 1979, a young enthusiast came to town with a non-regulatory tip. This person was Jake Burton. The board is called Burton Backhill. His board was... at the center of a......paper story: Jake Burton charts a new course in snowboarding.”Success. April 15, 2014Pesch, Ron. “The birth of a sport. Snurfing 1965.” Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame.April 15, 2014Carpenter, Donna. "Burton girls." Burton girls. March 23, 2014. April 15, 2014< http://burtongirls.burton.com/author/donna/>Lewis, Mike. "The Boardroom: Jake Burton." Transworld business. December 14, 2011.April 15, 2014 “Jake Burton Destroys Cancer.” Fletcher Allen Health Care. Giving Newsletter Autumn 2013.15 April 2014