A world without roller skating… It’s difficult to think of now, but at one point in time, the terms “roller rink” and “roller skates” had no meaning. So where did it get its start? Roller skating has a long and rich history with many innovations and occurrences along the way that brought us to what we know and love today. Dating back to the 1700’s it can be difficult for the curious to search through and find all of the high points. So, Roller Kingdom, located in Hudson and Tyngsboro, MA, has compiled an easy-to-follow timeline of roller skating highlights from the beginning to today!
Roller Skating Timeline
- 1743: This is the first ever recorded account of anyone using anything like roller skates. These first skates were used in a London stage performance, and the inventor is unknown.
- 1760: The first roller skates are invented! Though the first account was in the stage performance, this is the first ever actual invention of what we know today. These skates were actually inline, believe it or not, and had small metal wheels. The inventor was John Joseph Merlin.
- 1819: First patented roller skate design, in France by M. Petitbled. These skates are more similar to what we know today. It was very difficult to maneuver in this early design, and was difficult to do much else but move in a straight line.
- 1857: Roller skating has finally gained enough popularity by this point and has warranted the opening of the first public rinks! They were held at The Strand in London and Floral Hall.
- 1863: The quad roller skate makes its first appearance. Designed by James Leonard Plimpton in New York City, this model of roller skate made it easier for the skater to turn.
- 1880: Roller skates are beginning to be mass produced in America, and is experiencing a boom in popularity.
- 1902: The Chicago Coliseum opens a public skating rink, and more than 7,000 people attend the grand opening.
- 1916: The first appearance of roller skates on the big screen is in the Charlie Chaplain film, “The Rink.”
- 1979: Scott Olson and Brennan Olson set out to redesign the skate by using a 1960’s inline skate design and using modern materials and an ice hockey boot. Scott Olson begins promoting the skate, and creates Rollerblade, Inc.
- Adjustments to the skates are made over the course of the next decades, and with a bit of tweaking and honing, we have arrived at what we have today!