Keith Vivian Alexander is a New Zealand mechanical engineer and inventor. He is a professor of

mechanical engineering Mechanical engineering is the study of physical machines that may involve force and movement. It is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science, to design, analyze, manufacture, and ...

at the

University of Canterbury The University of Canterbury ( mi, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha; postnominal abbreviation ''Cantuar.'' or ''Cant.'' for ''Cantuariensis'', the Latin name for Canterbury) is a public research university based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was ...

, in

Christchurch Christchurch ( ; mi, Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. Christchurch lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula on Pegasus Bay. The Avon River / ...

, and the inventor of the springfree trampoline. Alexander began his professional life as a primary school teacher. After 4 years of teaching he returned to university to complete a degree in engineering, conducting research on an invention of his own to gain his PhD. Post graduation, Alexander worked for an engineering consultancy for a period of 6 years, in which time he led a team in developing advanced heavy presses for the New Zealand wool industry. Following this, Alexander moved to CWF Hamilton, a New Zealand company which pioneered the

jet boat A jetboat is a boat propelled by a jet of water ejected from the back of the craft. Unlike a powerboat or motorboat that uses an external propeller in the water below or behind the boat, a jetboat draws the water from under the boat through a ...

, where he worked on a number of projects including waterjet development which resulted in patented innovations. 1996 saw Alexander take up a position at the

where he still teaches mechanical engineering design & product innovation. Since 1999 he and some of his students have been involved in the development of the Martin Jetpack. In 2003 he became involved in the development of Alan Gibbs' Aquada amphibious car. Whilst at the university he has been responsible for several patented inventions including the springfree trampoline. The trampoline won the 2010 Consumer Product of the Year Award in the United States following earlier awards in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. In the same year Alexander was awarded the New Zealand Engineering Innovator of the Year award by the New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards. In 2018 Alexander was a member of the ASTM Standards Committee on

trampoline A trampoline is a device consisting of a piece of taut, strong fabric stretched between a steel frame using many coiled spring (device), springs. Not all trampolines have springs, as the Springfree Trampoline uses glass-reinforced plastic rods. ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Keith New Zealand inventors Academic staff of the University of Canterbury Living people Year of birth missing (living people)