Between 1908 and 1912 interest in roller skating rose, boomed and declined. Influences on the rise were a general interest in all forms of wheeled transport and the role of US skate companies’ agents. At the height of the boom there were at least 500 rinks. Decline followed with the rise of silent movies and economic recession. Particular attention will be drawn to material in The National Archives’ dissolved and liquidated company archives.
Sean Creighton is an independent historian. He has published on the Edwardian roller skating boom and related subjects. He organises history talks and walks about Battersea and Wandsworth, which has special links with roller and ice skating and he runs History & Social Action Publications.