Rollerblading history is long and winding. The common notion of a roller blade is a boot with wheels below. However, it is worth noting that the term refers to a trade name and not the wheeled boot that is well loved. Here we will look at the origin of the modern day roller blades.

The history of roller blades can be traced during the 1700s when a stage performer from London performed using his roller skates. The idea was derived from Holland when Dutchmen used to nail wooden spools to pieces of wood and attached them to their shoes. They will then use it to slide across frozen canals.

In the year 1760, a London instrument manufacturer and inventor named Joseph Merlin wanted to attract people so they would visit his museum. He went to a masquerade party wearing metal-wheeled boots. In order to make a grand entrance, he played the violin while on skates. However, he crashed into a solid mirror wall.

In 1823,  Rolito, a shoe or boot with five-lined wheels at the bottom, was granted a patent. While it is considered as the predecessor to the modern roller skates, the only difference is that it is unable to follow curved paths unlike present day skates.

In 1863, quad skates became a part of the history of roller blades. James Plimpton, an American inventor, came up with the idea of designing a usable pair of skates. It consisted of two parallel set of wheels – one located under the heel and the other below the toes. It is regarded as the first useable pair of skates and can navigate curves.

In 1902, roller skates experienced a major boost with the opening of a skating rink in a Chicago Coliseum which was attended by 7,000 people. It was the first of a series of inaugurations of skating rinks in the United States. The decade of the 70s and 80s further enhanced the rise to prominence of roller skates as Hollywood movies incorporated this equipment into their theme.

Finally, 1979 marked the year the name roller blades were introduced. Scott and Brennan Olson, who are hockey players and brothers, remanufactured old skates and used them for practicing hockey. To enhance the design, the Olson brothers used modern materials. They also established Rollerblade, Inc.

The contemporary design of roller skates was the most feasible and useful option for this sliding tool. From then on, roller blades were used to refer to roller skates. New developments and variations were inserted to the tool but rollerblading history was initiated with the establishment of Rollerblade, Inc.

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