-
The start of skateboarding
Skateboarding was probably born sometime in the late 1940s or early 1950s when surfers in California wanted something to surf when the waves were flat.
These first skateboarders started with wooden boxes or boards with roller skate wheels attached to the bottom. -
The first boards were wooden boxes or boards with roller skate wheels slapped on the bottom
These first skateboarders started with wooden boxes or boards with roller skate wheels slapped on the bottom. The boxes turned into planks, and eventually companies were producing decks of pressed layers of wood -- similar to the skateboard decks of today. During this time, skateboarding was seen as something to do for fun after surfing. -
Introduction of manufactured skateboards
The early 1960s bring the introduction of the first manufactured skateboards. The following are some of the popular mainstream skateboard designs from the 1960. -
Skateboarding was at a peak of popularity
In 1963, skateboarding was at a peak of popularity, and companies like Jack's, Hobie and Makaha started holding skateboarding competitions. At this time, skateboarding was mostly either downhill slalom or freestyle. -
Frank Nasworthy renovated the wheels
In the early 1970s, Frank Nasworthy started to develop a skateboard wheel made of polyurethane, calling his company Cadillac Wheels. Prior to this new material, skateboards wheels were metal or "clay" wheels. -
The "Ollie"
In 1978,a skater named Alan Gelfand (nicknamed "Ollie") invented a maneuver that gave skateboarding another revolutionary jump. He would slam his back foot down on the tail of his board and jump, thereby popping himself and the board into the air. The ollie was born, a trick that completely revolutionized skateboarding -- most tricks today are based in performing an ollie. -
90s Skateboarding
The current generation of skateboards is dominated by street skateboarding. -
Tony Hawk and the 900
In 1999, Tony Hawk became the first skater to land a 900.The 900 is a 2.5-revolution (900 degrees) aerial spin performed on a skateboard ramp. It is considered one of skateboarding's most technically tricks. -
More mainstream
Since 2000, attention in the media and products like skateboarding video games, children's skateboards have all pulled skateboarding more and more into the mainstream
