Roller skating has been a beloved pastime enjoyed by generations of kids and adults alike. It’s hard to believe that the first use of roller skates was in a London stage performance way back in 1743!
John Joseph Merlin, a London resident in 1760, deserves the credit for inventing the first skates. Roller skates have certainly 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, 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.
This copper-colored object was an essential accessory for anyone with roller skates. At first glance, 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. Let’s share this delightful blast from the past with others who may have fond memories of roller skating and skate keys too!
T.J. HOOKER STAR JAMES DARREN PASSES AWAY AT 88 LEAVING FANS HEARTBROKEN
Actor James Darren, famous for roles in films like *Gidget* and TV shows such as *T.J. Hooker* and *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine*, has passed away at the age of 88.
According to TMZ, James Darren died peacefully in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles on Monday.
The exact cause of death is not known yet, but his son, Jim Moret, shared that his father had heart problems and was being treated at Cedars-Sinai’s cardiac unit.
Darren had originally gone to the hospital for an aortic valve replacement but was considered too weak to have the surgery. He was sent home but had to return to the hospital shortly after.
Jim Moret expressed his thoughts, saying, “I always thought he would pull through because he was so cool. He was always cool.”
James Darren became famous as a teen idol when he played the surfer Moondoggie in the 1959 film *Gidget*. He returned to this role in the sequels *Gidget Goes Hawaiian* and *Gidget Goes to Rome*.
He also had a notable role as police officer Jim Corrigan on *T.J. Hooker*, where he appeared in 66 episodes over four seasons.
James Darren wasn’t just an actor; he was also a singer and performed the theme song for *Gidget*. He directed episodes for shows like *Melrose Place*, *Beverly Hills, 90210*, and *The A-Team*, among others.
Rest in peace, James Darren.
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