Maker of AstroTurf Going Out of Business: Southwest Recreational Industries, the Texas company that has made AstroTurf since the 1960s, has filed for bankruptcy protection and is going out of business. The company originally developed the artificial playing surface for the Astrodome, the first domed stadium, after the grass originally planted in the facility died. Since then, AstroTurf has been installed in stadiums, indoor and outdoor, for both basketball and football.