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3000 BCE
The First Ice Skate
These Ice Skates were made out of animal bones. It was important in Finnish populations to save energy while hunting. -
200
Metal blades
These ice skates were the first to use a metal blade. It was fitted with a thin strip of copper and attached to the underside of a leather shoe -
1450
The Curled Blade
In the 15th century the skates had a dramatic curled toe to the blade. This curl prevented the tip of the skate to get stuck in the ice an making the skater trip -
Wilson Blades
Wilson blades was founded in Sheffield,England after King Charles asked Wilson, a tool maker to make a pair of blades for skates. Today it is still one of the leading brands for ice skates -
Long and Thin
Ice skate makers began to make the ice skates longer and thinner for speed and transportation. Because when it is long, the weight is distributed more evenly and that gives you a smoother glide. -
Modern Day Skates are made
In the 20th Century, skates become what we know today. We now have a boot with screwed in blades that let the skater move more easily and safely. -
Hinged Skating Boot
In 2004 a team at the University of Delaware developed a figure skating boot with a hinged ankle, which was originally designed with injury prevention.
