Roller skating has been a beloved pastime enjoyed by generations of kids and adults alike. It’s hard to believe that the first use of roller skates was in a London stage performance way back in 1743!
John Joseph Merlin, a London resident in 1760, deserves the credit for inventing the first skates. Roller skates have certainly come a long way since then!
In the United States, roller skating gained popularity as a pastime in 1935. But it wasn’t until the introduction of skating rinks playing disco music in the 1970s that roller skating became a huge trend. It seemed like everyone wanted to hit the rinks and groove to the music!
Speaking of roller skating, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Do you remember those heavy metal skates that you could attach to your shoes? They were quite the fashion statement back in the day. But there’s something else that you might remember if you were a skater before the 1970s – the iconic skate key.
This copper-colored object was an essential accessory for anyone with roller skates. At first glance, it may look like a bottle opener or some kind of tool, but it is actually a skate key. With the skate key, you could adjust the size of your skates by fitting it into the back of the pair. And to make sure they didn’t get lost while skating, most people wore the key around their necks. It was a small but significant part of the roller skating experience.
Skate keys were such an integral part of roller skating that there have even been songs written about them! They symbolize a time when roller skating was a cherished activity, filled with fun and memories.
So, do you remember skate keys? We’d love to hear your skating stories on our Facebook page. Let’s share this delightful blast from the past with others who may have fond memories of roller skating and skate keys too!
This John Wayne’s video is 47 years old. But I have never heard such Patriotic words! WOW!
This was one of the last scenes from John Wayne’s show, which debuted in 1970. Wayne hosted a variety show honoring American history and featured some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry as guests.
Everything appears to be in place to create one of the most patriotic television shows ever, including the amazing crew in the video and the music and costume choices. THE VIDEO IS DOWN below.
I became aware of how much Hollywood has changed after viewing this film; these kinds of television shows are no longer available.
I mean no disrespect—the video was fantastic, and the performers were all excellent—but Dean Martin’s voice really took the cake! What a vocalist! Simply view the video below.
Never before have his words sounded so chilling!
Leave a Reply