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HISTORY
We know that skateboarding has its roots in surfing. Surfers called it “sidewalk surfing,” but no self-respected surfer took it seriously. They Skateboarded to improve their technique, especially when the waves weren’t good. As a result, all skateboard moves mimicked riding waves. It didn't take long for manufacturers to take advantage of the growing phenomenon among America's youth.
The first manufactured skateboard found its way to store shelves in 1959. In 1963 professional-grade skateboards appeared on the market, along with teams of pro-riders to demonstrate them.Skateboarding quickly found commercial success. But too little development and innovation went into those first boards. The boards still had steel wheels, which made for an uncomfortable/dangerous ride. Eventually skateboards were made with clay wheels, which made riding smoother and more enjoyable, but they still weren't very safe.
Clay wheels lacked the traction needed to prevent riders from getting injured. At that time, only a small number of skateboard manufacturers made higher-quality wheels, and they were expensive. Because they were cheaper to manufacture, clay wheels remained the industry standard. The result was a flood of injuries, which gave skateboarding a bad name. Police chiefs discouraged retailers not to carry skateboards anymore. And when reports of fatal accidents came in, cities all over the United States banned skateboards.
In 1965, after half a decade or cultural prominence, skateboarding virtually died over night. Though, not everybody gave up on skateboarding. A select few carried on, but their numbers weren't enough to sustain the sport's popularity. Retailers withdrew their orders and left manufacturers broke and with a surplus of unsellable skateboards.
and with some innovation to boot. Most notably, new wheels made of urethane -- a versatile polymer compound in the rubber family -- made for a smoother ride, and gripped the road better. This made skateboarding safer and re-energized the public's interest. New bearings soon followed. In addition, manufacturers began making trucks specifically designed for skateboards.
Just a few years prior, another technological innovation changed skateboarding forever. In 1969, Larry Stevenson patented the kick tail, which opened up skateboarding to a new level of performance beyond imitating surfing. The kick-tail is the portion of board that turns up at its end and makes the majority of skateboarding tricks possible. When the demand for skateboarding came back around, Stevenson was ready. Without the addition of the kick-tail, skateboarding's most famous trick -- the Ollie -- wouldn't be possible.
After skateboarding's resurgence in the early 1970s, the sport has seen a fluctuation in public interest over the years. Another surge of interest from 1983 to 1991 included the rise of vert skating. The boards at this time were wider and characterized by big wheels.
Today, skateboarding has matured into a plurality of locations, attitudes, riders, riding styles and cultures. While many urban managers still deploy “skatestopper” devices to deter skateboarders, more positive attitudes towards are emerging, as people become aware of skateboarding’s economic, cultural and health benefits. In cities there is substantial public support for skateparks, skateable public spaces, skate-focused schools and skate-friendly city policy. It seems as though skateboarding is finally being seen in its true light: at once critical and caring, rebellious and entrepreneurial, non-conformist and mainstream, and so as a dynamic presence in cities worldwide.