Skateboarding - http://maxpages.com/skatecurb/Skateboardings

Heres the history of skateboarding that i had to write up for a school project, its like the other one that you always see in the concrete wave magazine but its shorter. Feel free to use it for your school project too if that what ya want it for, but ask before putting it on your website. I'll say yes but I just want to know whos using it.

In the early 1900's is when the first skateboard were invented. They featured roller skate wheels attached to planks of wood with a milk crate and handlebars. This type of skateboard was more like a scooter.

In the 1950's the part that hold the wheels on (trucks) were modified so that the rider could turn more easily. In 1959 the first Roller Derby skateboard was for sale and clay wheels made an appearance. Sidewalk surfing began to take root.

By the 1960's surfers began to take interest in skateboarding. When Larry Stevenson, publisher of surf Guide, began to promote skateboarding things took off. Larry's company, Makaha, designed the first professional boards and made a team to promote the product.

In 1963 the first contest was held at a high school. A year later in 1964 a surfer named Hobie Alter teamed up with a juice company and created Hobie skateboards. While most skateboarders took to the streets and sidewalks some brave skaters tried skating in drained out pools.

By 1965 international contests, movies, a magazine, and tours by skate teams made the sport extremely popular. Then all of a sudden skateboarding died in the fall of 1965.

The first death of skateboarding was caused by poor products, too much inventory, and a public upset because of reckless riding. The companies were so caught up in making the product that nobody bothered with developing the product. Some companies made better wheels but since clay wheels were cheapest to make they kept producing them. the wheels slipped and skaters would often fall all over the place. Cities banned skateboarding because of health concerns after a few fatal accidents. Companies like Vita Pakt and Makaha went bankrupt because of no orders over the Christmas season.

Skateboarding remained underground for the next eight years until about 1973, only showing up in a few areas that are popular surfing spots. During this period Larry Stevenson invented the kicktail and tried to resurrect the sport but only made a small amount of success.

In 1970 a surfer names Frank Nasworthy visited a friend at a factory that produces urethane wheels for roller sports. He realized that they would stop skaters from sliding everywhere and discovered that they fit on his Hobie skateboard. He decided to develop a wheel made from urethane for skateboards. Frank tried to promote the wheel and over time the word spread around.

By 1973 Franks wheels launched skateboarding's second boom. Skateboarding companies began making trucks specifically for skateboarding. Many skate companies sprang up over night.

In 1975 a company named road rider came out with the first precision bearing solving the problem of loose ball bearings. Slalom, downhill and freestyle skating began being practiced by many people. Skateboarder magazine was resurrected and other magazine companies sprang up trying to cash in on the sport. The sport of skateboarding is on a roll once again.

In 1976 the first outdoor park is built for skateboarders and soon followed by other parks all over North America. Skateboarding changed from horizontal to vertical and slalom and freestyle became less popular once pool skating made a comeback. Soon skateboards changed from being six or seven inches wide to over nine inches to make vertical skating easier.

Wes Hampston and Jim Muir marketed the first graphic boards under the name Dogtown. Other companies followed this fashion and soon mostly all companies began printing graphics on the underside of their boards.

In 1978 skateboarding took its biggest step in street skating when Alan Gelfand invented the ollie. The trick was named after his nickname, Ollie, and was first known as the ollie pop, or no hands ariel. Gelfand was the actual inventor of this move, even though it is often credited to Rodney Mullen.

The roots of street skating developed when skaters took vert moves to flat ground
and soon skateboarding's culture began to mix with punk and new wave music.

Pool skating was hugely popular because of the better technology. Soon skateboarders began to do aerials and sore far beyond the coping. Skatepark insurance was an issue due to liabilities and some parks had to be bulldozed because of the expense.

By the end of 1980 skateboarding died once again. BMX became a poplar sport, and Skateboarder magazine changed to Action Now and many skaters deserted skateboarding. Some hardcore skaters built backyard halfpipes as more parks closed.

In 1981 Thrasher magazine was born, giving hardcore skaters news on the sport. Even though competitions were still held, there was a small turnout and smaller prize money.

In 1982 Tony Hawk won his first competition and a year later companies like Powell Paralta and Santa Cruz tried to save the sport. In the same year Transworld magazine started publishing, and street skating and launch ramps became popular. Powell made the first "Bones Brigade" skate video and helped to promote skateboarding. More companies sprang up and skateboarding entered a third wave. Many street, vert, and freestyle skaters were born.

In the mid to late 1880's Powell, Santa Cruz, and Vision/Sims dominated the skate market. Competition winnings escalated and some skaters pulled off ten thousand a month. The National Skateboard Association held many competitions. Soon skate shoes and skate clothes became very popular. By the end of the 1880's skateboarding shifted from vert skating to street. A number of skaters left companies and started up their own companies.

Over time skateboarding's personality changed as new school skating was born. It is the now existing version of skateboarding focusing on ollies, grinds and technical skating.

In 1991 a world wide recession hit, causing many companies to face huge losses. The industry turned very negative and started reinventing itself. Big Brother magazine began in 1992. Like before some hardcore skaters stuck with it and finally in the mid 1990's the fourth wave hit.

In 1995 skateboarding gained popularity as EXPN 2 Extreme Games featured the sport. Most of the skate companies that are now popular started up around this time. Towards the end of the 1990's the focus still remains street style skating. Many professionals started up their own companies and many skate parks are built all over North America.

Over the last 40 years skateboarding has had many ups and downs. however skateboarding has vastly increased since clay wheels. Skateboarding is a dangerous sport but does not have as many injuries compared to BMX, hockey and football. The main reason this sport survived is because it is so much fun to do.

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Page Updated Sun Apr 21, 2002 12:16pm EDT