A Hangboard is a climbers training tool that strengthens the climbers grip. Over the years hangboards (or training boards) have been made of a single piece item, or is made up of many separate holds that create the training board system. So I am not totally sure how to find: "Who made the first hangboard?"
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Entre Prises (France)
In the August 1986 Camp catalog is shown the Entre Prises Rectangular Plate. This Rectangular Plate is shown in the Camp catalog on a separate page from the climbing holds that are also shown in the same catalog. If the Rectangular Plate was designed as only a climbing hold, then this brings the Metolius Simulator Hangboard to being the very first Hangboard created (April 1987).
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Entre Prises May 1989 advertisement showing Entre Prises USA. In the advertisement is this photo of a climber working out on Modular Holds. In the photo the climber is reaching for the Entre Prises rectangular Plate, while over the door in the photo is a newer Entre Prises hangboard.
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Metolius (USA) - April 1987
Metolius Chris Grover product information letter 2/17/1987
- Mentions “New product we’re excited about is the Simulator.”
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Metolius 3/15/1988 price List:
Simulator hangboard
Pure Force hangboard
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- Mentions “New product we’re excited about is the Simulator.”
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Metolius 3/15/1988 price List:
Simulator hangboard
Pure Force hangboard
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The Metolius Simulator hangboard.
NOTE: This may be the first Hangboard design created in the world. |
The Simulator - April 1987 advertisement
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North American Mountaineering (USA)
The Spider Training Board
The Spider Training Board
The Spider
- August 1988 advertisement |
The Spider - October 1989 advertisement
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Entre Prises (France)
- October 1988 advertisement 
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Entre Prises
- December 1988 advertisement 
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Sport Climbing Systems (USA)
Le "ROK" Master
- October 1988 advertisement |
Le "ROK" Master II
- February 1989 advertisement |