Roller skating, a beloved pastime enjoyed by generations, has evolved throughout history. It’s amazing to think that roller skates were first used in a London stage performance in 1743! The credit for inventing the skates goes to John Joseph Merlin, a London resident in 1760. Since then, roller skates have come a long way.

In the United States, roller skating gained popularity as a pastime in 1935. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s, with the introduction of skating rinks playing disco music, that roller skating became a huge trend. Everyone wanted to hit the rinks and groove to the music!

Speaking of roller skating, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Do you remember those heavy metal skates that you could attach to your shoes? They were quite the fashion statement back in the day. But there’s something else that you might remember if you were a skater before the 1970s – the iconic skate key.

The skate key, a copper-colored object, was an essential accessory for anyone with roller skates. At first glance, it may have looked like a bottle opener or some kind of tool, but it was 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 ensure 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 held such importance in 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.

Let’s share this delightful blast from the past with others who may have fond memories of roller skating and skate keys too! We’d love to hear your skating stories on our Facebook page.