Roller skating has long been a popular activity enjoyed by both kids and adults across generations. It’s hard to believe that roller skates first appeared in a London stage performance in 1743!
John Joseph Merlin, a London resident in 1760, is credited with inventing the first roller skates. Since then, roller skates have evolved significantly.
In the U.S., roller skating became a popular hobby in 1935, but it wasn’t until the 1970s when skating rinks with disco music took over that roller skating became a massive trend. It felt like everyone was eager to hit the rinks and dance along to the beats!
Speaking of roller skating, let’s take a nostalgic trip back in time. Do you remember those heavy metal skates that attached to your shoes? They were quite the fashion statement. If you were a skater before the 1970s, you might also recall the iconic skate key.
This copper-colored tool was an essential accessory for anyone with roller skates. At first glance, it might seem like a bottle opener or general tool, but it was actually a skate key. The key was used to adjust the size of your skates by fitting it into the back. To avoid losing it while skating, many people wore the key around their necks. It was a small but important part of the roller skating experience.
Skate keys were so central to the roller skating culture that songs were even written about them! They represent a time when roller skating was a fun and cherished activity.
So, do you remember skate keys? Share your skating memories on our Facebook page! Let’s celebrate this nostalgic part of roller skating history with others who might also have fond memories of skate keys.