Oregonsportshall.com – Inline skating has come a long way since its early beginnings in the 1700s. From a mode of transportation to a popular recreational activity, inline skating has evolved into a professional sport with athletes competing at the highest levels. In this article, we will take a look at the history of inline skating, from roller disco to professional skaters.
The Evolution of Inline Skating: From Roller Disco to Professional Skaters
The Birth of Roller Skating
Roller skating has been around since the 1700s, when a Belgian inventor named John Joseph Merlin created the first roller skate. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that roller skating became a popular pastime in the United States. At that time, roller skating was done in roller rinks with quad skates, which had four wheels arranged in a square pattern.
The Rise of Roller Disco
In the 1970s, roller skating evolved into a cultural phenomenon with the rise of roller disco. Roller disco was a form of dance that combined roller skating with disco music and flashy costumes. It became so popular that roller rinks began to pop up all over the United States, and roller skate manufacturers began to produce skates specifically designed for roller disco.
The Emergence of Inline Skates
In the 1980s, a new type of roller skate emerged: inline skates. Inline skates had a row of wheels arranged in a straight line, rather than in a square pattern like quad skates. This design made them more maneuverable and faster than quad skates, and they quickly gained popularity among athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Inline Skating Goes Pro
In the 1990s, inline skating became a professional sport with the creation of the International Inline Skating Association (IISA) and the formation of the first professional inline skating team, Team Rollerblade. Professional inline skaters began to compete in events such as the X Games and the Gravity Games, and the sport gained recognition and respect within the athletic community.
Inline Skating Today
Today, inline skating continues to be a popular activity for recreation, fitness, and sport. Skaters can be found in parks, rinks, and on the streets, and the sport has even spawned new disciplines such as aggressive inline skating and freestyle slalom. While roller disco may be a thing of the past, inline skating has proven to be a versatile and enduring sport that has stood the test of time.
