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