Inline Skating
Inline skating is a dynamic sport that combines elements from both ice skating and roller skating, with a history that dates back thousands of years to ancient Finland. The evolution of inline skates began in the 18th century with Joseph Merlin's wooden spool design, which laid the groundwork for modern roller skates. The first inline skates were patented by a French inventor named Petitbled in 1819, but they struggled with maneuverability and turning. Significant advancements came later, notably from American inventor James Leonard Plimpton, who introduced the quad skate, which improved skater control.
The sport gained immense popularity in the 1970s with the introduction of polyurethane wheels and further innovations in inline skate design. The Minneapolis brothers, Scott and Brennan Olson, played a pivotal role in the 1980s by refining inline skate designs for hockey, leading to the establishment of Rollerblade Inc. Today, inline skating encompasses a variety of activities, including recreational skating, aggressive sports, speed skating, and artistic disciplines, catering to a diverse range of skaters. While participation peaked in the late 1990s, inline skating continues to attract enthusiasts with its versatile nature and opportunities for competition and coaching.
Subject Terms
Inline Skating
Inline skating is a continuously evolving sport rooted in both ice skating and roller skating. Its history can now be traced to Finland, where archaeologists found primitive ice skates that are thousands of years old and made of bone. As with the ice skates designed by the Dutch, who were previously credited with the invention, the "blades" were attached to shoes before skates developed as separate footwear. The invention of roller skates was an attempt to enjoy skating in warm weather and is officially attributed to the eighteenth-century Belgian inventor Joseph Merlin, although many other skaters probably tinkered with that idea as well. Merlin's skates consisted of wooden spools mounted on wooden strips, which were attached to the soles of shoes. Their greatest drawback was the inability to stop, a factor that severely limited their popularity.
In 1819, a French inventor with the last name Petitbled filed a patent for the first inline skates. His patent covered designs with two, three, or four wheels that could be made from copper, wood, or ivory. The greatest drawback with these inline skates was their inability to turn. The French and other Europeans continued to improve on the design, including a five-wheel model with brakes invented by Robert John Tyers, although he too failed to solve the turning problem. Europeans are also credited with opening the first roller-skating rinks.
In 1863, American inventor James Leonard Plimpton directed his attention to the "quad" skate. By placing two pairs of wheels on the frame, skaters could skate backward with ease and turn. The addition of brakes and wheel bearings offered a faster and safer activity. Plimpton also opened the first skating rinks in the United States and popularized the first sport on roller skates, roller polo. Within the next few decades, recreational and ballroom dance roller skating had become mainstream activities, while those with a competitive spirit sought out speed skating, figure-skating competitions, or roller hockey after it developed in the post–World War II years.
While the quad skates were taking the country by storm, some American manufacturers continued to explore new designs for the inline skate. In 1910, the Roller Hockey Skate Company designed an inline skate with a raised rear wheel that allowed for greater maneuverability. In 1966, the Chicago Roller Skate Company designed an inline skate with wheels that extended beyond the boot like an ice skate blade. During the 1970s, polyurethane wheels replaced the clunky metal wheels, allowing for new record speeds and fancier artistic movements. Roller skating saw a boom in popularity during the 1970s.
In 1980, Minneapolis brothers Scott and Brennan Olson found an old pair of inline skates and refined the design to be used for hockey in the off-season. They went on to found Rollerblade Inc., the company credited with developing an entirely new industry. In fact, for many years, the term "rollerblading" was synonymous with inline skating. As inline skating grabbed the attention of a nation—with thirty-two million skaters at its peak in 1998, according to the International Inline Skating Association—the National Skate Patrol was formed to assist skaters in urban areas, enthusiasts developed new inline sports, and skate parks become the newest craze, built to cater to aggressive skaters and their daredevil stunts.
While the popularity of inline skating has decreased since the 1990s, it continues to evolve and prove itself to be one of the most versatile activities. Enthusiasts can choose between recreational/fitness skating, artistic skating (freestyle, figure skating, and others), speed skating, inline hockey, inline soccer, Nordic and downhill skating, extreme sports such as kite skating and wind skating, and other activities, offering something for anyone with a little balance and a desire to get rolling.
Inline Skating for Fun vs. Profit
Inline skaters can obtain teaching certification from the International Inline Skating Association's Inline Certification Program (ICP), while those proficient in a particular sport can coach. There are many other opportunities for skaters as well. Aggressive skaters who can do a variety of tricks are in demand in the entertainment industry, while competitive skaters can earn money from races and manufacturer endorsements. In some urban areas, skaters are hired as couriers or are employed in retail, restaurant, and other businesses where speed is an advantage.
Learning More
Organizations
Inline Certification Program <https://www.inlinecertificationprogram.org/>
National Skate Patrol <http://www.nationalskatepatrol.org/>
USA Roller Sports <https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Roller-Sports>
World Skate <http://www.worldskate.org/>
Books
Edwards, Chris. The Young Inline Skater. New York: DK, 1996. Print.
Glidewell, Steve. Inline Skating. Minneapolis: LernerSports, 2004. Print.
Miller, Liz. Get Rolling: The Beginner's Guide to Inline Skating. 3rd ed. Danville: Get Rolling, 2003. Print.
Tomlinson, Joe, and Ed Leigh. "Aggressive Inline Skating." Extreme Sports: In Search of the Ultimate Thrill. Buffalo: Firefly, 2004. Print.