| How did skateboarding come to be? Who | | | | body motions of a surfer and a boarder are |
| invented the first skateboard? Where was the | | | | strikingly similar, which is another testament to |
| concept of skateboards and skateboarding | | | | the strong historical bonds that the two sports |
| developed? While there aren't any definite or | | | | share. |
| definitive answers to these questions, skateboard | | | | In the 1970s, people started to push the limits of |
| decks do indeed have a colorful and rich history | | | | what skateboards could be and of what |
| to them. And while it's nearly impossible to imagine | | | | skateboarders themselves could actually perform |
| a world without skateboarding, many people are | | | | on the decks. It was during this time period in |
| surprised to discover that skateboards are a | | | | which the first polyurethane wheels began to |
| relatively young cultural phenomenon, unlike say, | | | | appear - which, of course, is now pretty much |
| bicycling. So, sit back, relax and enjoy reading this | | | | standard on any modern or contemporary |
| little article which will - hopefully - provide you with | | | | skateboard. Additionally, more exotic building |
| some insight with the interesting and unique past | | | | materials also began to come into play when |
| that skateboards enjoy. | | | | manufacturing skateboards. Fiberglass, aluminum |
| Modern skateboards were probably first | | | | and other composite materials were being |
| developed around the 1940s. Since skateboarding | | | | explored in the never ending quest to develop and |
| is somewhat similar to surfing - in theoretical | | | | build the perfect skateboard. |
| terms, that is, it makes sense that skateboards | | | | From the 1980's until today, street skating came |
| more than likely came out of California. Surfers, | | | | to the forefront as more and more people took |
| being passionate about what they do, were | | | | skateboarding away from cumbersome and |
| looking for something to surf when the waves of | | | | complicated skate parks. Skate parks began to |
| the ocean weren't cooperating and weren't | | | | make appearances in the late 1970s, but because |
| conducive to optimal surfing conditions. And while | | | | boarders could injure or hurt themselves on them, |
| it's pretty much impossible to put a name or a | | | | many municipalities were closing them down. And |
| face to whomever built the very first skateboard, | | | | because building homemade ramps, pipes was an |
| early skateboards were probably no more | | | | expensive venture (and perhaps, still is), people |
| complex - or were just as simple (depending on | | | | took skating onto the streets. As a result, today's |
| how you want to look at it) - as wooden boards | | | | modern skateboards are designed to handle any |
| with roller skate wheels attached to the bottom. | | | | street or urban skating environment. Today's |
| These primitive skateboards, which were made | | | | skateboard decks are lighter and their wheels are |
| by the boarders themselves, were more than | | | | harder. |
| likely in heavy use until the 1960s, when the first | | | | From humble beginnings in California to a |
| skateboard manufacturers started to establish | | | | worldwide culture that's growing and expanding in |
| themselves. From there, skateboarding - or | | | | popularity each and every day, skateboards have |
| "sidewalk surfing" as it was called (again, to reflect | | | | had a strange and wonderful trip to enjoy the |
| its surfing origins) started to explode in popularity. | | | | status that they do today. Where skateboarding |
| For ocean-based surfers, it was a way to keep | | | | will go from here is merely and only anyone's |
| active and keep moving when the waves weren't | | | | guess, but it's safe to say that the next 60 years |
| available. For other people - mainly non-surfers - | | | | of skateboards will be just as interesting as its |
| skateboarding was a way to "surf" as it were | | | | first 60 years. |
| without having to enter the water. In fact, the | | | | |