History of Skateboarding
Kids have always had an desire for their own set of wheels. The bicycle is the first example, but alot of families and kids couldn’t afford one. The alternatives were small wheel carts, scooters and ice-skates. Some kids constructed go-karts or soapbox carts; others made what would end up being the first primitive skateboards. The first type of skateboard, was really more similar to a scooter. They would use wheels from roller skates attached to a two by four. Often the top was a packing crate with handle bars nailed to it to give control.
After the Second World war, North Americas population and economy expanded. The children of that period (the baby boomers) quickly made their presence felt in the market. The addition of television would help new toy companies reach their target audiences. The yo yo, hula-hoop and similar toys had become in style and kids favoured playing outside in the open air. The first skateboard hit the market in 1959.
The dawn of the skateboarding industry saw many new and exciting technological progresses, like clay wheels, they made racing smoother and allowed for the possibility of new tricks. The introduction of skateboards produced for the consumer coincided with the rise and popularity of surfing, and kids wanted to mimic the moves they saw people do on the waves, on concrete. Skateboarding’s popularity grew even more during the 1960’s when Larry Stevenson, publisher of “Surf Guides”, began to promote the skateboard,things began to take off, Makaha, a company of Larry’s, marketed one of the first skateboards in 1963.
Makaha has also had one of the first skate contests ever, in Hermosa, California,1963. These early competitions raised the standards skating and and gave status to the sport.Others manufacturers appeared on the scene. In 1965 there were international competitions,films and reviews (The Quarterly Skateboarder)
Then, suddenly, the skate industry starting to die 1965.
A Landslide to insufficient products, too many full warehouses and little technological progresses were all to blame. Some companies developed wheels of top quality, but the clay wheels were most economic to construct. However, clay wheels did not give good traction on the road and skateboarders were beginning to have nasty falls. The municipalities began to announce that skateboarding was a dangerous sport and a risk to youth skating was pretty much blasted out of existence. The manufacturers lost enormous sums of money due to the cancellation and the sport was nearly removed from the sight of the public. But a few skaters who were dedicated would maintain the sport and help keep it alive.
The sport is alive and well today despite some really slow times during the 1990’s. Today it’s a world wide sport with thousands of participants, professionals and fans. Skater fashion has been big for years. Skate hats, backpacks, hoodies and everything in between in available for today’s skaters.
