| The fact that skateboards exist does not | | | | front end. This has become an essential part of |
| necessarily mean that they were invented by | | | | the modern skateboard. |
| someone. They are one of those phenomena that | | | | Another design element that was patented was |
| just seem to have evolved. It is thought that the | | | | much more recent. In 1993 a patent was issued |
| idea became popular in the 1950's. Originally called | | | | for the platform steerable skateboard. This was |
| sidewalk surfers, they were a hit with the surf | | | | to a Thomas Welsh. Once again, this is not who |
| community on the west coast. Although it is not | | | | invented skateboards, but definitely someone who |
| known who invented skateboards there are some | | | | was instrumental in their evolution. |
| interesting facts about them that we can pin | | | | The basic design of the skateboard does not |
| down to individuals. | | | | seem to have one particular, definitive inventor. |
| We know that skateboards were first sold | | | | They were originally just a plank of 4 x 2 on a |
| commercially in 1958 by Bill and Mark Richards. | | | | roller skate. This was probably a roller skate |
| These were pretty basic boards made by fixing | | | | belonging to your sister and, as you can make |
| roller skate wheels to pieces of wood - there is | | | | two skateboards out of her roller skates, it no |
| little that can be changed about this basic | | | | doubt bought you a friend as well. The chances |
| construction! This was, not surprisingly, in | | | | are that skateboarders of that day were always |
| California, the home of the surfers. Although this | | | | seen in pairs! As we know, necessity is the |
| is not who invented skateboards, they were | | | | mother of invention and perhaps it was someone |
| probably the first retailers. The fact that | | | | who could not find both their roller skates who |
| skateboards were made popular by the surf | | | | invented skateboards. I do not think that we will |
| community, possible for use when there were no | | | | ever find an answer. |
| waves and they had nothing to do, is reflected in | | | | There are probably many people out there who |
| the shape that the boards are constructed. They | | | | would claim to know who invented skateboards, |
| are always surfboard shaped, particularly some of | | | | and maybe even some who would claim the |
| the smaller plastic ones that were so popular in | | | | crown themselves. I actually remember my |
| the 1960s and 70s. | | | | father telling me a long time ago that he used to |
| One other fact that we know is who invented | | | | fasten his school books to a roller skate with his |
| skateboard kicktails. This was Richard Stevenson | | | | belt, sit on it and career down the hill to school. |
| and he patented the design in 1969. This was as | | | | This would have been in the 1940s in England! |
| an improvement to the basic design of the | | | | Perhaps he deserves the crown! |
| boards to help perform tricks by lifting up the | | | | |