Rollerblade® – A Company That Changed Roller Sports

Inline skate history actually begins long before the skates known today as rollerblades were developed. The first inline skates date back to a Dutchman in the 1700's. Then in 1863, an American developed the quad roller skate with wheels side by side, and most inline skate designs were set aside, because they could not maneuver as well as these quad roller skates. By 1930, roller skates were not uncommon, but it was 29 years later (1959) before metal-wheeled skates were mass produced. In 1973, the development of polyurethane wheels for roller skates lead to the beginning of the inline skating era.

In 1979, Scott and Brennan Olson (hockey playing brothers from Minnesota), were looking around in a sporting goods store and found some inline skates. They thought these skates might give them an on-skates option for what used to be their off-ice hockey training. During the 1980 season, the brothers refined these skates, developed the first rollerblades and founded the Ole's Innovative Sports company that would eventually become Rollerblade® at their parents' home in Minneapolis.

Ice hockey players and alpine skiers were among the first to try the new Rollerblade® skates during the early 1980s, but by the mid 1980s marketing strategies improved, Rollerblade® distributors were developed and sporting goods retailers were found. Eventually inline skating events, competitions and sport-specific activities like aggressive skating helped build the brand in the late 1980s.

During the early 90's, Rollerblade® starts to distribute skates internationally, and in 1991 Nordica purchased half of the company. Improvements in inline skate production technology resulted in lighter, stronger materials, lower pricing and many skate improvements like ABT® brakes.

Rollerblade® is known today for introducing polyurethane boots and wheels, metal frames, dual bearings and heel brakes to inline and roller sports equipment. In addition, Rollerblade® has achieved the following industry firsts:

• Ventilated shells and liners
• Buckle closure systems
• Cored wheel design
• Graduated brake design
• Aggressive skates
• Advanced Braking System (ABT)®
• Skates designed for women's feet
• Adjustable children's skates
• Temperature-controlled skate liners

Today, inline skating or rollerblading includes a variety of recreational and competitive inline sports disciplines that provide health and fitness benefits to skaters of all ages. And Rollerblade® has skating equipment to support most of these sports.

The world leader in the inline skate market, Rollerblade® USA, is based in West Lebanon, New Hampshire (NH) and their worldwide headquarters are located in Trevignano (TV), Italy. This company is credited with creating one of the fastest growing sports in the world by completely changing the perception of inline skates. These skates were originally developed as cross-training equipment for hockey players, but now they are in use by both athletes and everyday people in many skating disciplines and fitness activities. Professional athletes, fitness buffs and recreational skaters of all ages enjoy inline skating.

The Rollerblade® company now positions itself in the sporting goods market as the "original, authentic brand of inline skates with a singular focus on skating." They have created an active lifestyle experience that millions of people enjoy for fitness, transportation, entertainment or as a serious sport, and their line of inline skate options includes sport-specific designs for many skating disciplines.

In addition to developing the inline skating industry, Rollerblade® has over 250 patented inline skate products and technologies. Rollerblade® USA manufactures and distributes skates, accessories and gear for inline skating and has even received awards for new technologies.

When the Olson brothers created a skate that attracted the public to inline skating, their inline skate manufacturing name - rollerblade or rollerblading - become inline skates or inline skating to most people. The correct term to use when describing skating on rollerblades (generic) is inline roller skating or inline skating.

The company continues to support all of the inline roller sports and new skating frontiers with additions to technology, camps, games, online training, athlete and event sponsorship as well as cool marketing ideas that help spread the word to inline skating enthusiasts:

• The Skate In School program brings Rollerblade® training and skates to almost any school.
• Rollerblade Web TV develops and showcases inline skating videos from around the world.
• Animated inline skating tutorials are a wonderful tool for self-directed skating lessons.
• Meet Team TRS - the Rollerblade sponsored aggressive skating team.
• Discover beginner and advanced rollerblading instruction at Camp Rollerblade.
• The Rollerblade® Events Network can help you find marathons and events in North America.
• Try some of the Rollerblade online games.