Rainbow Skateland

Skating & Entertainment Center

1109 Lincoln Avenue, Lockport, NY, 14094   |   tel:716-507-4381
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A Brief History of Roller Skating

July 27, 2015 by taylor Leave a Comment

You may not think too much about those roller skates and how they came to be when you put them on your feet at Rainbow Skateland. While you may enjoy rolling, turning, and gliding across the skate floor, skating was not always as simple as it now is in our rink. Roller_skating_c_1905

Taking a look at the history of skating, it is evident that the first pair of skates recorded as an invention took their place in the history books in 1760. These skates, developed by inventor John Joseph Merlin, were made with small metal wheels and had their wheels in one line similar to modern day inline skates. It was not until nearly sixty years later in 1819 when the first patent for roller skates was recorded. These skates again were similar to modern day inline skates, but were still quite basic. Simple maneuverability was quite difficult.

A large improvement was made in control and maneuverability in skate design in 1863. A furniture store owner named James Leonard Plimpton designed quad skates with two pairs of wheels. This allowed skaters to turn more easily and led to the first public skating rinks in the United States in 1866.

As skating design continued to change and safety measures such as the toe stop, added in 1876, skating started to take off. Roller skating was largely popular in the United States between 1935 and the early 1960’s. Another spike in skating interest took place in the 1970’s with further wheel improvements and disco music.

Image via wikipedia

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Skating and Blading

If you want to do something FUN for your family and your heart, visit Rainbow Skateland in Lockport, NY! Roller Skating provides a complete aerobic workout and involves all the body’s muscles, especially the heart and is equivalent to jogging in terms of health benefits such as caloric consumption, body fat and leg strength development and is recommended by the The American Heart Association as a fitness sport. Since rental skates are available at Rainbow Skateland, toddler size 6 up to adult size 14, roller skating is a perfect activity for the whole family. Encourage your family to make healthy choices like roller skating and blading. FUN for your FAMILY… GREAT for your HEART! Check our Schedule for times and prices

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Rainbow Skateland is a family-owned and operated skating and entertainment center located in Lockport, New York. We provide children and families across Western New York with skating and party facilities.

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