A Brief History of Inline Skates

Rollerblades: The First Inline Skates

A quick look at the history of inline skates reveals that rollerblades weren’t the first ever invented inline skates, however they were the first inline skates to take the world by storm and change the face of rollerskating forever.

The Chicago Roller Skate Company created the first prototype for inline skates in the 1960’s. Then Scott and Brennan Olsen created the Rollerblade Company manufacturing the first mass produced inline skates.

Rollerblade became so successful that people soon began to refer to inline skating as Rollerblading.

The Look of the First Inline Skates

The first inline skates had a hard shelled boot, not the soft type of boot or sneaker as seen with inline skates today. Today, inline skating offers more options in the area of comfort and ease.

Over the years, the design has changed and inline skates provide ample room and space while still offering a sturdy and durable base.

The First Inline Skates and Competition

Rollerskating has been a favorite American pastime since the 1800’s. Along with rollerskating rinks came figure rollerskating and competitive forms of racing. These competitions have opened up to include inline skating as well.

There have been many competitions, marathons, and inline figure skating events that have added to the legitimacy and longevity of inline skating.

Future of Inline Skates

Looking from the history of inline skates to the future, it looks like line skating is a sport that’s here to stay for a lot of years. But what is on the horizon?

Interestingly, skating rinks that allow both the old fashioned roller skates and inline skates are springing up in major cities across North America. It’s the new / old fitness craze that is a good evening out, and lots of fun with groups.

And outside of the rink, a new invention that is being patented in Europe is the electric inline skate. As I learn more about this interesting conversion of an inline skate, I’ll share the information.