Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-04-10
The Evolution of the skate,

The origin of the skate is wrapped in
oblivion, but all commentators on sport
agree that its Introduction WAS due to
actual necessity, as a means of locomotion
over Il frozen surface, rather than for the
purpose of amusement. AS far rs can be
learned from the records Of the past nearly
all the northern European races used IA
rude device for travelling over the ice, and
the next record is found in Holland, when
Il Dutch sailor, who was storm driven on
the coast of Lapland in the Twelfth cent
ury, learning from the natives to "skait
withe bOcneS on hys %feetr,' introduced the
strange practice to his countrymrn. 1t is
worthy of notice that "Skait" is the HOl.
landcr's word for ''glide.'
From Holland the skate was introduced
into England about ITO, the historian
FitzStcp!lcn saying that Young men do
20 TO the create moor at Moorticlds, on the
north wall L"l Lonlonl and there do linde
boene> I" there fcctr, holding stakes in
there handr> with which they sometimes
DO strik the ice" One pair of these bones
is now preserved in the British Museum
ANA anol hrrin the collection of Col. Roach.
IL would seem that the skate progressed
very slowly for many years, for in 1889 the
historian Stowe says, The apprentice, do
tyr bones on to their hcleS, and running on
their toes dc slide on the ice on their heles
with great speed, often suffering grcvous
falls ard broken bones"
In 1904 the first mention of The iron skate
appears, and I'cpys tells us that a man
named King brought Il pair from the
island of ltloes, and that in lGt, The lake
in st. james park was covered with citi.
Zcns enjoying the new diversion. Bristol
was the first town to see their use in Eng.
land.
From then on the skate remained for
many years simply Il wooden patten and Il
metal blade. 1t use became general, and
it vas probably used in this country dur.
ing the first winter passed here by the
Pilgrim Fathers. For many years the
skates used here were imported from Aus.
tria and Germany, but as usual with Amer.
leans. no sooner did the demand increase
.lan a domestic supply sprany up to meet
it.. 1t is worthy of nOle in this connection
that American skates and their improve.
mrnls nov dominate the skating world.
The first skates made in this colntry were
the hanuiWurk of Il man named Sanford,
living at Elgl"svilir, Conn. The exact
date is lost, but it was in 1850.
This skate lul IL long curved runuer
which turned up in front Of the foot like y
piece of spring wire, and must he n!Trc.
tiorately remembered by many an old
boy" Thi, runner was fastened to the
wooden standard by screws. and IL narrow
strap, heel and toe. held it in POSITION on
the foot. The next Improvement WIS what
is known us the "clamp,' Introduced in
1865. These Hripped the sole and heel and
dispersed with straps. AT first these were
used on the heel and a strap on the toe.
but later the clamp was affixed to both.
The clamps were worked by Il double
threaded screw, and this idea was patented
and sold to Il Worcester (Mass.) firm.
The double threaded screw was super
seeded by the lever in 1869, a style that
quickly spread the name and fame OF
American skates all over the civilized
world. Here to u great extent the invcn
ton of improvements ceased. Many styles
have been introduced that have varied in
some detail, but for actual practical Use
the 1868 model with some notifications
still holds the palm. 'Hle long reach
racer is the latest innovation.