Prompt Cast
The Evolution and Popularity of Skateboarding
TLDR Skateboarding has evolved over time, from homemade wooden scooters with steel wheels to the first commercially produced skateboard in 1959. It gained popularity in waves, experiencing a decline in the 1960s due to safety concerns but resurging in the late 60s and early 70s with the invention of urethane wheels. Skateboarding has since become bigger than ever, with the introduction of the X Games and Tony Hawk's video games.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Skateboarding has evolved over time, with the first skateboards having clay wheels and the sport gaining popularity in waves.
04:48
The first commercially produced skateboard was the roller derby skate in 1959, but skateboarding originated from homemade wooden scooters with steel wheels from roller skates, and it gained popularity in the early 1960s with 50 million skateboards sold in the first three years.
09:13
Skateboarding gained popularity in the 1960s but declined due to safety concerns until the late 60s or early 70s when clay wheels and the invention of the urethane wheel by Frank Nassworthy led to a resurgence in skateboarding.
13:59
The Zephyr crew formed their own crews of sponsored skaters who went on tour, which helped expand skateboarding in the 80s and created a third wave of popularity.
18:33
The early 90s saw a lull in skateboarding due to the recession, but it was revived in the mid-90s by the X Games and Tony Hawk's video games, and has since become bigger than ever.
23:09
The deck of a skateboard has evolved over time, with the tail being kicked up in the early 70s to allow for tricks, and the deck itself is made up of thin layers of veneer that are laminated together, with grip tape being added on top for better control and stability.
27:44
Mongo foot is when your right foot is on the skateboard but you use your left foot to push, and while it may be frowned upon by some skaters, it feels natural to the speaker.
32:16
Vert skating originated from the Dogtown guys skating in swimming pools, and it involves leaving the surface and catching air, while street skating combines freestyle with obstacles in the built environment.
36:56
The ollie is a fundamental skateboarding trick where the skateboarder jumps into the air by forcefully kicking the tail of the skateboard against the ground, allowing them to overcome gravity and achieve airtime.
41:37
The 180 trick involves doing an ollie and turning the skateboard 180 degrees in midair, and it serves as the basis for other tricks like 360s and 540s, with the first 1080 being completed in 2012.
46:15
The host receives an email from a listener who noticed a contradiction in previous episodes regarding whether or not the host had experienced the bends while scuba diving, and the host admits to having a mild case of the bends in the past.
Categories:
Society & Culture
