In 1743, a bold performer in London danced onstage wearing shoes with wheels. The audience gasped — it was the first public sighting of roller skates. But the credit for inventing them goes to a Belgian man named John Joseph Merlin. In the 1760s, he built a pair of metal-wheeled shoes to impress guests at a party. Unfortunately, he didn’t include brakes. He crashed into a mirror and got injured.
Still, the idea of skating stuck. Early versions had wheels arranged in a straight line (like inline skates today). It wasn’t until 1863 that an American named James Plimpton created the “quad skate” — with two wheels in front and two in back — which allowed people to turn and balance more easily. Suddenly, skating wasn’t just a circus act; it became a fun hobby.
Rolling revival
Lockdowns during the pandemic saw a big comeback in skating, especially among teens.
Dance on wheels
Roller disco mixed dance and sport — and inspired entire fashion trends.
By the 20th century, roller rinks opened across cities. In the 1970s and ’80s, roller disco took over the dance floor, with flashing lights and funky music. Today, roller skating is back in trend, thanks to social media videos and skating clubs.
From awkward party tricks to Olympic-style competitions, roller skates have rolled far. And they’re still rolling.