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first board
The first known skateboard type product is a three-wheeled, stamped metal device with pedal-car like wheels, and an adjustable heel cup and toe clip. Usually sold in pairs with a set of poles, it is apparently designed to mimic cross-country skiing. It has a 3" by 10" riding surface, and no steering mechanism. -
first hybrid
Another three-wheeled device, the "Scooter Skate" is a skateboard/scooter hybrid; it can be ridden with its included handle or without. The bulbous rocket-ship style metal deck has a riding surface of 6 1/2" by 13", with steel roller-skate style wheels. There is no turning or steering mechanism. -
skeeter skate
A four-wheeled device made from aluminum, the "Skeeter Skate" is created around 1945. With a 4 3/8" by 15 3/4" riding surface, this scooter comes with a removable handle and pedal-car style wheels. This device introduces a unique innovation, the first steering axles, or "trucks," which allow riders to turn for the first time. -
more deleloping
A crude form of skateboarding as we know it today begins to develop. Kids create their own home-made boards by nailing roller-skate assemblies to the bottom of a wooden plank. Often the plank has a milk crate nailed to it with handles attached for control. Late in the 1950s, surfers discover skateboarding and embrace the feeling of wave riding on flatland. -
evelution
Jim Fitzpatrick and his friends, at the suggestion from his dad's Wilson, nails rollerskate trucks onto scrap 2' x 4' wood planks to make homemade skateboards. This begins a life-long love of skateboarding for Jim. -
first manufactured skateboards
The early 1960s bring the introduction of the first manufactured skateboards. -
first retail shop to sell skateboards
A Southern California surf shop, Val Surf, begins making its own skateboards. Owner Bill Richards makes a deal with the Chicago Roller Skate Company to produce sets of skate wheels, attaching them to squared-off wooden boards. Val Surf is the first known retail shop to sell skateboards. -
first pro skateboards
Larry Stevenson designs and manufactures the first professional skateboards, which will later become the Makaha brand. Larry and his wife, Helen, initially work from their garage building and shipping boards. Surf legend, Mike Doyle later works with Larry in developing future board designs. The Makaha Phil Edwards (another legendary surfer) model is the first pro model skateboard ever produced. The board introduces two revolutionary components - clay wheels, and Chicago trucks (the first double- -
spreading skatboarding
July - Makaha team member, Jim Fitzpatrick, goes on a two-month, 14-country tour to promote Makaha and introduce skateboarding to countries all over Europe and the U.K. Jim returns to Europe 25 years later as part of the Powell-Peralta Bones Brigade tour, skating all over Europe -
skateboarding geting very popular
Skateboarding becomes widespread and very popular, and companies are struggling to keep up with demand. While most skaters take to the streets or sidewalks, some skaters begin to explore skating in backyard swimming pools.The first skateboard organization, the National Skateboard Championships Association (NSCA) is formed in Anaheim.
Later this year many public officials and safety organizations begin condemning skateboarding as unsafe – urging stores not to sell skateboards, and parents not -
urathane whells
Frank Nasworthy creates a skateboard wheel design using urethane -
first skateboard trucks
Ron Bennett builds one of the first skateboard trucks specifically designed for skateboarding. Board manufacturers spring up everywhere and the industry is booming with new products and ideas. -
gullwing trucks
January – Newly formed company, Gull Wing Products releases the Gull Wing truck, a revolutionary split-axle truck design that allows adjustment of both the tension and radius -
vertical riding
Vertical riding takes off, followed closely by streetstyle skating. Launch ramps become popular.