This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
In-line Skating Roots From 18th Century Pioneers
A brief history tracing early attempts at wheeled footwear from Hans Brinker’s wooden spool skates in Holland to Joseph Merlin’s 1760 London wheels. It covers Meyerbeer’s opera fad, Plimpton’s 1860s rink and quad design, and the rise of in-line skating in 1980 by the Olson brothers with urethane wheels.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hans Brinker
Holland
Joseph Merlin
London
Giacomo Meyerbeer
New York
James Leonard Plimpton
James Plimpton
Plimpton