The History of Roller Skating

Roller skating experienced a surge in popularity during the pandemic. In May 2020, Rollerblade, the manufacturer, recorded its highest shipping volume in two decades as people explored innovative outdoor exercise options.

But how did we reach this stage? Has the history of roller skating been a complex journey or as straightforward as the wheels on a pair of Rollerblades?

Who Invented Roller Skates?

James Leonard Plimpton holds the record for the most U.S. skate patents, but several individuals played a role in shaping the roller skates we know today.

John Joseph Merlin

The origins of roller skating trace back to the mid-1760s when Belgian inventor John Joseph Merlin created his prototype, featuring metal wheels arranged in a line beneath the skate, akin to modern inline skates.

Merlin often showcased his roller skates at social events to promote his inventions and the Museum of Mechanics, where his creations were displayed. However, his skates lacked the ability to turn or stop effectively.

During a social event, Merlin skated while playing his violin among a crowd. Reports indicate he couldn’t stop and collided with a costly mirror, shattering both the mirror and his violin, while also injuring himself.

Charles-Louis Petitbled

Roller skates reappeared in 1819 Paris when Charles-Louis Petitbled secured the first global patent for his "land skates." Petitbled claimed his skates could "replicate all the movements ice skaters perform with traditional skates."

The skates came in various sizes, with soles crafted from metal or wood, depending on the design. What set them apart was the attachment of the wheels—typically made of metal or wood—to a shaft connected to the skate. The skate was fastened to the shoe using "straps."

James Leonard Plimpton

In 1863, roller skates underwent a significant improvement thanks to American inventor James Leonard Plimpton from Medfield, Massachusetts. He redesigned the wheel arrangement, introducing quad or "rocker" skates, which enhanced stability by positioning two wheels side by side at the front and two at the back.

Plimpton’s most groundbreaking innovation was attaching the wheel assembly to a pivot with a rubber cushion, enabling skaters to shift their weight to steer. In 1866, he further improved stability by adding leather straps and metal side braces. He ensured all his designs and modifications were patented.

Max McKillip, archivist at the National Museum of Roller Skating in Lincoln, Nebraska, notes that Plimpton secured over 20 U.S. skate patents.

Skating Goes Social

Beyond designing and manufacturing skates, Plimpton played a pivotal role in popularizing roller skating in the U.S. He established the New York Roller Skating Association and promoted the activity as a respectable pastime for men and women to enjoy together.

Interestingly, Plimpton chose to rent out skates instead of selling them. McKillip suggests this might have been a strategy to control the type of people who could participate in the activity.

Plimpton leased the Atlantic House, a luxurious resort hotel in Newport, Rhode Island, constructed during the winter of 1866-1867. He transformed its dining room into the first public roller rink in the U.S., followed by another in New York. Roller skating quickly gained popularity and expanded nationwide.

Plimpton amassed wealth from his invention but spent considerable time and resources in court battling patent infringements. A 2015 New York Times article noted he faced up to 300 infringement cases, but McKillip confirms Plimpton successfully defended his patents.

Beyond recreation, roller skating gave rise to competitive sports like roller hockey, speed skating, and artistic skating, all governed by USA Roller Sports (USARS), the national body for roller sports. McKillip highlights that these sports remain popular and active today.

The Evolution of Skates and Skating

Roller skating’s popularity fluctuated over the decades, often rising in tandem with advancements in skate technology.

In the late 1970s, roller skating returned to its inline origins when brothers Scott and Brennan Olson modernized the inline skate using contemporary materials. They combined a hockey skate boot with inline wheels and a rubber toe stopper, creating the iconic Rollerblade, a trademarked brand. Investors later acquired Rollerblade, investing time and resources into research and development to refine the product into its final form.

Skating Culture

Roller skating encompasses several significant subcultures, with Black skating culture being one of the most notable. During the 1950s, at the height of segregation, rinks would dedicate one night a week to Black patrons, known as "Black Night."

"Our museum features exhibits highlighting segregation in certain rinks across the country," McKillip explains. "There’s also a vibrant African American skating subculture, including jam skating, which blends skating, dance, breakdancing, and gymnastics on quad skates. Much of this activity is now showcased on social media, as many rinks have closed, and skaters have moved outdoors."

Another cultural phenomenon was the fusion of roller skating and disco music in the 1970s and 1980s, inspiring creations like the movie Xanadu, the Broadway musical Starlight Express, and the exhibitionist skating scene in Venice Beach, California.

Ultimately, McKillip emphasizes that roller skating is a universally enjoyable activity suitable for nearly all age groups.

"Its popularity has certainly fluctuated over time," he notes, "but it has endured because it’s fun, relatively easy to learn, and affordable to practice outdoors, even without access to a rink."