These charming, elegant, and endlessly joyful images of roller-skating girls catch their carefree attitude. Re-discover the basic joys and ageless charm of these young skaters from bygone days.
Roller skating originated in the 18th century, far earlier than one would think.
Still, the early designs were far different from the sleek, sophisticated skates we know today.
Possibly to replicate ice skating onstage, these skates were utilized in theatre and musical presentations.
Early roller skating was done in a straight path since, with the crude skate designs of the period, twisting or curving proved quite difficult.
Limited to a sporadic performance prop at the time, roller skating would not be very popular until the 1840s.
Waitresses in a Berlin beer hall from the 1840s utilized roller skates to serve patrons. Late 1840s opera and ballet including Le prophet included roller skating.
For the first time, in 1850s Europe, roller skating became somewhat well-known. Technological developments enhanced design as well, including rubber wheels in 1859 and four-wheeled rotating skates in 1863.
Roller skating has become rather popular since then; it is usually referred to as a “craze” during its peak.
From 1880 to 1910, roller skating exploded in popularity; mass-produced roller skates gained appeal in rinks among the general public in Australia, North and South America, and Europe.
During this era, specialized forms of roller skating emerged including figure skating and speed skating.
Roller skating lost popularity then rose to prominence once more in the 1930s and 1950s. Roller skating is said to have had a Golden Age in this period.
During this time, many skating rinks with electric organ music were erected all throughout the United States.
Roller disco started to take off in the 1970s Mostly Black and gay skaters, this kind of skating started with disco music.
Outdoor and indoor inline skating (with “rollerblades”) gained popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Driven by a mix of historical respect and modern invention, roller skating has had a rebirth in recent years.
Showcasing the sport’s versatility and ongoing appeal, street roller skating, artistic roller skating, and roller derby have exploded in popularity.
(Photo credit: Pinterest / Flickr / Wikimedia Commons).
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