From bones to blades- Skating through the history

From the early days, a mode of transportation was indeed a necessity. And 5000 years ago, the oldest form of human-powered transport in the frozen winters was ice-skating. Have you ever wondered, how has it changed over the years!

The skates we use today are of metal. But archaeological evidence has proved that the first skates were made of animal bones.

4000 years ago, this form of transportation likely appeared first in Finland. It is unlikely that the skating developed as a hobby because, in harsh winter conditions, people struggled to survive. Moreover, in an area in Southern Finland, there is the highest number of lakes of the World. Hence the people living there had to invent a time-saving way to navigate across the country. Rather than circumnavigating the lakes, it would be easy to save energy and time by simply crossing them. Thus, they discovered skating.

Excavation unveiled leather soles and blades made of polished animal bones mainly of horse and cow bones. One end was pierced and strapped to the foot with leather thongs. The most unique thing about the primitive skates was, they were not powered by any classic motion which is known today. Studies reveal, they had a flat bottom and not at all had the capability to thrust forward. The skater had to carry pointed stuff to straddle, push off and brake. Thus, they propelled themselves by gliding and not by cutting.

In the 13th century, bones were replaced by wood along with iron belts.

Around the 14th century, the Dutch started sharpening the edges of the formerly designed flat-bottomed skates. The skaters can now glide on their own feet and call it “Dutch Roll”.

In the 20th century, the actual concept of proper metal skates that we know today came into existence. With the improvement of technology, lighter, stronger and metal skates came into being.

skates

Skaters now use a boot with steel blades attached at the bottom, to propel across the ice.

From lakes and fens, skaters now skate in man-made refrigerated ice-rinks. The first one was built by the Dutch themselves in 1876, called ‘Glaciarium’. The skates are now made easy to use and gradually from a survival tool ice skating took the form of recreation and sport.

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