Roller skating

Joseph Merlin, a Belgian mechanic and maker of musical instruments, created the first pair of roller skates. In May 1770, Merlin went to London as director of Cox’s Museum in Spring Gardens and exhibited several of his pet Projects: an organ, a pianoforte, and a harpsichord. Merlin also had examples of his work in his home on Oxford Street, where he displayed his unique invention, the roller skate. He created a pair of skates contrived …

…in America. Skating center owners began to utilize the new market by renting in-line skates and promoting the safety benefits of skating indoors. During this decade of change, many skating centers began to expand into entire family entertainment centers by offering a wider variety of entertainment choices. Though many skating centers now offer video and redemption games, laser tag and soft play, operators insist that roller skating will always remain the anchor of their business.