The history of skateboarding.

Volcom13 · New Member Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 8 Reputation: +1

Im not totally done. There is still some stuff i have to do to it, like editing it and stuff. But here is the article anyway. I know its not that great.

The History of Skateboarding
It all started in the 1950's, when Californian surfers came up with surfing in the streets. The first skateboards started out as a wooden scooter, but without the handle. Just a simple pair of of roller skate wheels attached to a piece of wood. And later on, modifications were made to the trucks so kids can skate them more easily. That's when skateboarding was first discovered. It wasn't a sport yet, it was just something to do for fun when your not surfing. And by 1959, the first Roller Derby Skateboard was for sale.

In the early 1960's, skateboarding became very popular. Surfing companies began promoting skateboarding. Companies like Hobie and Makaha sold skateboards and held skateboarding competitions. Like freestyle or downhill slalom. In 1963, the first skateboard contest was held in Hermosa Beach, California. But in 1965, safety experts pronounced skateboarding as very unsafe. Parents didn't want their children riding them, so stores stopped selling them. Skateboarding's first crash. But that didn't stop skateboarders to build their own skateboards. They made there own wheels, from clay. Which weren't safe, and very hard to ride.

So in 1972, Frank Nasworthy invented urethane wheels for skateboards. Safer, faster, better than the clay wheels. By 1973, Frank's "Cadiallac Wheels" launched skateboarding's second boom. And truck manufacturers began making trucks that were specifically designed for skateboards.

During the late 70's, skateparks were being built all over America. Skateboards were changing, with bigger sizes and graphics under the decks. Some big names in skateboarding at this time were Tony Alva, Jay Adams and Stacy Peralta. And in 1978, the ollie was invented, by Alan Gelfand. Another revolution in skateboarding. Unfortunately, skateboarding crash for the second time during the end of the 70's. Skatepark insurance was getting too expensive, and less people came to their parks. So eventually, they closed down.

So, in the early 80's skateboarders had to skate their empty pools in their backyard, or skating out in the streets. Skateboarding went completely underground. But by 1984, Stacey Peralta and George Powell put together a team of talented skaters, and named themselves the Bones Brigade. The team included Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, Kevin Staab, Rodney Mullen, Stacy Peralta, and Lance Mountain. Some Pro skaters started their own companies. Like Steve Rocco, who started World Industries. Skateboarding was once again more popular, and new school. Skateboarding began influencing different styles like music, and clothing. Skateboarding, by this time, attracted idependent, tough, "punk-style' teenagers.

As skateboarding became less popular at the end of the 1980's, Natas Kaupas And Mike Vallely joined in, encouraging skateboarding to keep going. During the mid 90's, skateboarding joined the X-Games. Which was a huge success. Bringing skateboarding from underground to mainstream. Skate shoe manufacturers like Vans began selling a number of products, and was joined by other manufacturers to get involved in skateboarding popularity. And more and more skate parks were being built around the country, skateparks that were even bigger and better.

Today, skateboarding is getting more and more attention. More competitions, video games, clothing, all that stuff. Even today, skateboarding is growing and changing. Who knows what will happen next.

Shifty. · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 3:34 am Post subject:

Great idea for an artical, good job man.
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FoSho11 · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 4:23 am Post subject:

woah, great job dude.

Tom · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject:

this is partly wrong
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Volcom13 · New Member Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 8 Reputation: +1

Like what parts?
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Tom · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:06 am Post subject:

- skatebaording's been around since the 30's maybe even before not the 50's. the 50's were just when the first commerical skateboard (sidewalk surfer) was sold.

- the late 70's and early 80's were the heyday for pools then getting into 82 - 88 it was all vert ramps and street was just coming up thanks to natas kaupas and gonz.

- skateboarding had been attracting "rebel punks" or whatever since at least 789 when it crashed for the second time, not the later 80's.

- vans has been selling specifically made for skateboarding shoes since the 70s. a good example or a 90's skate shoe is etnies, DC, soemthing along those lines.

good article either way.
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Pfeffer · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:30 am Post subject:

We can't all be perfect like you, Tom.
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Ninjasnpajamas · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject:

http://www.helium.com/items/91869-sk...-started-1950s
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Tom · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:28 pm Post subject:

Shifty. · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:32 pm Post subject:

Don't mess with Tom's knowledge.
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Tom · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject:

mega lols
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Octopus. · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject:

Nice article, posiii'd.
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