SKATEBOARDING The Comprehensive History of

By Skylar Summers

THE 50’S-60’S

o Skateboards created so when surfing wasn’t feasible, “Sidewalk Surfing” was available.

o Skateboards were made from roller skates and.. Well.. Boards.

o 1959, Roller derby skateboards put into production

o 1960-1965 over 50 million skateboards put into production

o 1965 Safety officials deem skateboarding “unsafe” and skate recession starts

o Skateboarding seems as though it was just a fad and dies as quick as it was born.

“The Craze and Menace of Skateboards” Life Magazine May 1965

THE 70’S

"There was so much aggression...they were more like a street gang than a skate team“ – Skateboarder MagazinePhoto: z-boys 1975

o With the skate recession still in effect, Derbys and Style Competitions are in few numbers.

o 1973, Polyurethane Wheels invented skating is popularized again.

o “Z-boys” introduce an aggressive skate style that many accept as the birth of modern skating.

o 1976, the “Ollie” introduced by Alan Gelfield

o Insurance costs and dimming crowds slowed the sport down, it’s second remission hits.

THE 80’S Vertical ramps revive the

sport again “Vert” skating dominates

the sport in the early 80’s Superstars are made. (Tony

Hawk, Steve Caballero) In later 80’s, “Street”

skating dominates and new superstars are made (Mike Valley, Rodney Mullen)

Skateboarding is still considered an “underground sport”

Above: Tony Hawk performs a ‘Layback”Right: Rodney Mullen demonstrates a Fingerflip

THE 90’S The 90’s bring skateboarding out of

obscurity with more televised competition.

1995, the first X-Games relays skateboarding to millions and gains general acceptance.

X-Games test both “Vert” and “Street” disciplines. Pictured is Shaun White X-Games 2007

00’S-CURRENT Skateboarding is still alive and well. Different boards for different disiplines Vertical, Street, Freestyle and Slalom The following video illustrates the

amazing advances that we have made in the last 60 years

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EahajVER2mo

Rider: Knox Heslop, Photo Skylar Summers

WORKS CITED “The Concrete Wave” – Michael Brooks Sept 1,

1999 Pgs 30-35,47-56, 110,186-195 “The Impossible: Rodney Mullen, Ryan Sheckler

and the Fantastic History of Skateboarding.” – Cole Louison 2011

Skatelog.com – Kathie Fry; 1950’s and 1960’s Salt Lake City Longboarders Group – All local

Skater’s pictures Transworld Magazine – Images of Tony Hawk

and Rodney MullenRiders: JP Masters, Blake Fronk. Photo: Skylar Summers