The Evolution of the Modern Skateboard

The Evolution of the Modern Skateboard

Borne in the wake of the 1950s surfing craze, the skateboard has been an ubiquitous fixture in Americana for half a century. Here���s a brief history of the skateboard���s ongoing evolution.

1950s

The first skateboard started appearing in Southern California skate shops in the late 50s.

These were constructed by fixing a pair of metal roller skate wheels to the bottom of wooden plank.

1960s

Board shape remains relatively similar and clay wheels are introduced. 1970s The kicktail debuts.

Average skateboard width increases two inches.

Polyurethane wheels become popular

1980s Wide boards with short noses became popular for vert ramp skating.

Slide rails were applied for boardslides on rails and coping.

Most boards used large, soft wheels.

1990s to present

Average board width decreases two inches

Smaller wheels aid faster board rotation for flip tricks

Since the mid-1990s board shape has remained relatively unchanged. The evolution of the modern skateboard Borne in the wake of the 1950s surfing craze, the skateboard has been an ubiquitous fixture in Americana for half a century. Here's a brief history of the skateboard's ongoing evolution. 1950s The first skateboards started appearing in Southern California skate shops in the late '50s. These were constructed by fixing a pair of metal roller skate wheels to the bottom of a wooden plank. 1960s Board shape remains relatively similar and clay wheels are introduced. 1970s Average skateboard width increases two inches. The kicktail debuts. Polyurethane wheels become popular. 1980s Slide rails were applied for boardslides on rails and coping. Wide boards with short noses became popular for vert ramp skating. Most boards used large, soft wheels. 1990s- present Average board width decreases two inches. Smaller wheels aid in faster board rotation for flip tricks. Since the mid-1990s, board shape has remained relatively unchanged. The evolution of the modern skateboard Borne in the wake of the 1950s surfing craze, the skateboard has been an ubiquitous fixture in Americana for half a century. Here's a brief history of the skateboard's ongoing evolution. 1950s The first skateboards started appearing in Southern California skate shops in the late '50s. These were constructed by fixing a pair of metal roller skate wheels to the bottom of a wooden plank. 1960s Board shape remains relatively similar and clay wheels are introduced. 1970s Average skateboard width increases two inches. The kicktail debuts. Polyurethane wheels become popular. 1980s Slide rails were applied for boardslides on rails and coping. Wide boards with short noses became popular for vert ramp skating. Most boards used large, soft wheels. 1990s- present Average board width decreases two inches. Smaller wheels aid in faster board rotation for flip tricks. Since the mid-1990s, board shape has remained relatively unchanged. The evolution of the modern skateboard Borne in the wake of the 1950s surfing craze, the skateboard has been an ubiquitous fixture in Americana for half a century. Here's a brief history of the skateboard's ongoing evolution. 1950s The first skateboards started appearing in Southern California skate shops in the late '50s. These were constructed by fixing a pair of metal roller skate wheels to the bottom of a wooden plank. 1960s Board shape remains relatively similar and clay wheels are introduced. 1970s Average skateboard width increases two inches. The kicktail debuts. Polyurethane wheels become popular. 1980s Slide rails were applied for boardslides on rails and coping. Wide boards with short noses became popular for vert ramp skating. Most boards used large, soft wheels. 1990s- present Average board width decreases two inches. Smaller wheels aid in faster board rotation for flip tricks. Since the mid-1990s, board shape has remained relatively unchanged. The evolution of the modern skateboard Borne in the wake of the 1950s surfing craze, the skateboard has been an ubiquitous fixture in Americana for half a century. Here's a brief history of the skateboard's ongoing evolution. 1950s The first skateboards started appearing in Southern California skate shops in the late '50s. These were constructed by fixing a pair of metal roller skate wheels to the bottom of a wooden plank. 1960s Board shape remains relatively similar and clay wheels are introduced. 1970s Average skateboard width increases two inches. The kicktail debuts. Polyurethane wheels become popular. 1980s Slide rails were applied for boardslides on rails and coping. Wide boards with short noses became popular for vert ramp skating. Most boards used large, soft wheels. 1990s- present Average board width decreases two inches. Smaller wheels aid in faster board rotation for flip tricks. Since the mid-1990s, board shape has remained relatively unchanged. The evolution of the modern skateboard Borne in the wake of the 1950s surfing craze, the skateboard has been an ubiquitous fixture in Americana for half a century. Here's a brief history of the skateboard's ongoing evolution. 1950s The first skateboards started appearing in Southern California skate shops in the late '50s. These were constructed by fixing a pair of metal roller skate wheels to the bottom of a wooden plank. 1960s Board shape remains relatively similar and clay wheels are introduced. 1970s Average skateboard width increases two inches. The kicktail debuts. Polyurethane wheels become popular. 1980s Slide rails were applied for boardslides on rails and coping. Wide boards with short noses became popular for vert ramp skating. Most boards used large, soft wheels. 1990s- present Average board width decreases two inches. Smaller wheels aid in faster board rotation for flip tricks. Since the mid-1990s, board shape has remained relatively unchanged. The evolution of the modern skateboard Borne in the wake of the 1950s surfing craze, the skateboard has been an ubiquitous fixture in Americana for half a century. Here's a brief history of the skateboard's ongoing evolution. 1950s The first skateboards started appearing in Southern California skate shops in the late '50s. These were constructed by fixing a pair of metal roller skate wheels to the bottom of a wooden plank. 1960s Board shape remains relatively similar and clay wheels are introduced. 1970s Average skateboard width increases two inches. The kicktail debuts. Polyurethane wheels become popular. 1980s Slide rails were applied for boardslides on rails and coping. Wide boards with short noses became popular for vert ramp skating. Most boards used large, soft wheels. 1990s- present Average board width decreases two inches. Smaller wheels aid in faster board rotation for flip tricks. Since the mid-1990s, board shape has remained relatively unchanged.