Skateboards have been around in one way or another since the 1930s. At first they were homemade contraptions manufactured by children using roller skate wheels and pieces of wood. Next came skateboard kits which included wheels and wagons that would be mounted onto boards. Around 1960 we see the first absolutely assembled skateboard on the market. They originated out of the California surf culture and at first looked very much like surfboards on land. These days many people collect vintage skateboards to both use and display.

Over the years since they were first introduced there were many improvements to the designs and materials used to provide skateboards. The first skateboard wheels were made from either metal or clay. While skateboard manufacturers made some improvements by messing with different widths and materials the largest development in skateboard wheels came in the 1970s with the arrival of urethane wheels. These wheels brought much more interest to skateboarding and produced many new skateboard fans.

Another big change in the planning of vintage skateboards was the movement from wood to fiberglass and composite decks. Fiberglass proved to be a much more flexible and sturdy surface for skating than wood ever was. Fiberglass or fiberglass and wood laminated boards allows for the development of all kinds of new skateboard maneuvers that actually pushed the sport forward. Skaters were now able to put more weight on certain areas of the skateboard without being concerned about breaking it.

There are lots of different makers who became famous for their contribution to the development of skateboards. Roller Derby was one of the first manufactures of fully assembled skateboards. Plenty of their early designs were electrified by the feel and appear of surfboards. Hang ten produced a popular kind of skateboard which was made from aluminum and featured aluminum wheels. The surfboard manufacturer Hobie even had its own surfboards including top of the tine parts for glorious performance. Locate vintage skateboards for sale here.