Did you know that roller skates have been around for 275 years? That means roller skating was invented even before America declared independence! With such a unique history, we thought you should know some of the highlights of the history of roller skating:

• 1743 – Imagine going to a theatre performance and watching an actor stride onto the stage in wheels. This was the case for many theatre-goers in London, England, who were watching a stage performance. Although the inventor of this skate is unknown, it is the first recorded use of skates.
• 1760 – Seventeen years after roller skates shocked many theatre-goers, John Joseph Merlin created inline skates. He wore them himself while attending a masquerade party!
• 1819 – Mr. Petitbled was the first to patent the roller skate design. They may look similar to the inline skates we use today, but its maneuverability and comfortability were non-existent. Skaters could only skate in a straight line! Fortunately for us, many decades were spent in the 1800’s to improve the design.
• 1857 – London wowed the world again by opening the first public skating rinks. Skates had come a long way from their initial appearance on a London stage over a century earlier.
• 1863 – An American man, James Leonard Plimpton, designed the quad skate, which was much like the skate we know today. Public skating rinks opened with intensity as more and more people enjoyed this newfound hobby.
• 1876 – The toe stop was patented! You likely use your toe stop while skating at Skate Moore in Moore, Oklahoma. This is an easy way for skaters to stop on a dime, if needed.
• 1902 – Skating at Skate Moore is a popular activity to do in the summertime, but can you imagine skating with 7,000 people at once?! When the Chicago Coliseum opened its first skating rink in 1902, over 7,000 people attended opening night!
• 1983 – We think skating is pretty cool and so did President Ronald Reagan. He declared October to be National Roller Skating Month in 1983.
• 1993 – Active Brake Technology was invented in 1993 to increase safety for all skaters. (Thanks Rollerblade, Inc.!)

Since roller skates first debuted in 1743, huge strides have been made to make them comfortable, maneuverable, and safe. At Skate Moore, we love seeing new and advanced skaters at the rink. So, check out our summer schedule and head to the rink today for some fun!