| Ice skates have come a long way since the | | | | jumps and spins possible. In the 1870s the |
| concept was first thought of thousands of | | | | first toe picks were added to ice skates |
| years ago. This is probably a good thing when | | | | which made toe pick jumps possible for the |
| you think about what the oldest pair of ice | | | | first time. |
| skates to have been found are made of. Dated | | | | |
| back to about 3000 B.C. the first pair of | | | | The only problem with ice skates at this |
| skates were made from the leg bones of large | | | | point was the fact that they were not very |
| animals. Holes were then made at each end and | | | | comfortable so could not be worn for very |
| leather straps were used to tie them on. | | | | long. This was changed in about 1859 when |
| Everyone is probably no doubt relieved that a | | | | James Whelpley from Canada developed a skate |
| few progressions have been made over the | | | | that was well suited for long distance |
| years. | | | | skating. This meant that there were a range |
| | | | of new possibilities for ice skates. People |
| It wasn't until the 14th Century that the | | | | could now enjoy skating more for pleasure, |
| Dutch started to use wooden platform skates | | | | games could be played in them and activities |
| with flat iron bottom runners to glide over | | | | such as figure skating took off. |
| the ice in. The ice skates were attached to | | | | |
| the skater's shoes with leather straps and | | | | Ice skates were revolutionised in 1914 when a |
| poles were used to help the skater move | | | | blade maker from Minnesota, USA invented the |
| around. However, further progress was made in | | | | first closed toe blade which was made from |
| 1500 when they added a narrow metal double | | | | one piece of steel. This made skates lighter |
| edged blade which meant that people could | | | | and stronger which was particularly helpful |
| glide with their feet and didn't need the | | | | in sports such as figure skating and ice |
| poles anymore. | | | | hockey. |
| | | | |
| Not much progress was made in the world of | | | | There is no doubt about the fact that ice |
| ice skates until 1848 when the first all | | | | skates are now more comfortable and easier to |
| steel clamp was invented. This was shortly | | | | wear than they were thousands of years ago. |
| followed by the introduction of the two plate | | | | It is because of this that ice skating is now |
| all metal blade. The blade was attached | | | | such a popular activity whether people are |
| directly to the boots which made dance moves, | | | | professionals or just doing it for fun. |