Roller skating has been a beloved pastime enjoyed by generations of kids and adults alike. Did you know that the first use of roller skates was in a London stage performance way back in 1743? And the credit for the first skate invention goes to John Joseph Merlin, who was living in London in 1760. Roller skates have 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, do you remember those heavy metal skates that you could attach to your shoes? They were quite the fashion statement back in the day. And if you were a skater before the 1970s, there’s something else that you might remember – the skate key.
This copper-colored object was an essential accessory for anyone with roller skates. 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. And don’t forget to share this delightful blast from the past with others who may have fond memories of roller skating and skate keys too!
