The Future is here.
Dead Rinks is not just about the rinks of the past. Because we have a timeline. From the beginning to future. And that future is now. What we will do? Roller Skating needs to come along with the future. First skates were unturnable. So, James Plimpton patented skates that would turn. And it worked. That was a future. And that sparked the new revolution of roller skating at the end of the American Civil War.
Rinks came and went. They are all on the Dead-Rinks lists from the US and International. Of course. But rinks have evolved too. First one was at a hotel ballroom or restaurant because they had large wooden floor. That lead to having at dance halls, ballroom pavilions and later converted from bowling alleys. Some were at school gyms. Many different places. Later rinks were found at shopping plaza in the 20th Century and a few in 21st Century. Many prevailed and still at their present location. The freestanding.
Skates continued to change too. Before it was strapped on skates with wooden wheels and even metal wheels. Small wheels. Later Skates added the boots. Some even far back to 1890s having boot style skates. But it was strapped on till mid 20th Century when polyurethane coated wheels introduced and roller skating was popular once again.
Rinks too evolved. They had organ music but Empire Rink in Brooklyn changed to Disco music. The craze was back again to skate.
Only that Disco "died" and skating went down with it. I believe someone made some mistake. Should have choose other music too and kept organ music.... Well anyway,
Rinks started to have polyurethane or even some kind of plastic coating to protect the floor. Rinks also becoming more colorful.
Rinks added colorful disco lights. Many creative ideas by owners. But some were basically the same concepts. And that is such as.. common design. For example, in 1970s, they had "High-wire spool" benches. Globe lights or the "Flying Saucer" lights from 1970s and 1950s respectively. Also Starburst lights that flashes with the Mirrored or "Diamond" Ball that revolved while couple skating.
Many rinks copied concepts. But also some were the same because of the same owner/operator which usually a corporate that owned many rinks and had similar concepts. Like fast food restaurants would have in similar design.
Everything remains changes or the same. Many rinks do not update as much for years. I understand the cost. But some rinks did change. Thanks to COVID lockdowns, rinks were able to renovate while no skating. It was possible to do so.
Sadly many rinks I have seen are so beautiful and they are closed! Really gorgeous design. A few are shown below.
Rinks came and went. They are all on the Dead-Rinks lists from the US and International. Of course. But rinks have evolved too. First one was at a hotel ballroom or restaurant because they had large wooden floor. That lead to having at dance halls, ballroom pavilions and later converted from bowling alleys. Some were at school gyms. Many different places. Later rinks were found at shopping plaza in the 20th Century and a few in 21st Century. Many prevailed and still at their present location. The freestanding.
Skates continued to change too. Before it was strapped on skates with wooden wheels and even metal wheels. Small wheels. Later Skates added the boots. Some even far back to 1890s having boot style skates. But it was strapped on till mid 20th Century when polyurethane coated wheels introduced and roller skating was popular once again.
Rinks too evolved. They had organ music but Empire Rink in Brooklyn changed to Disco music. The craze was back again to skate.
Only that Disco "died" and skating went down with it. I believe someone made some mistake. Should have choose other music too and kept organ music.... Well anyway,
Rinks started to have polyurethane or even some kind of plastic coating to protect the floor. Rinks also becoming more colorful.
Rinks added colorful disco lights. Many creative ideas by owners. But some were basically the same concepts. And that is such as.. common design. For example, in 1970s, they had "High-wire spool" benches. Globe lights or the "Flying Saucer" lights from 1970s and 1950s respectively. Also Starburst lights that flashes with the Mirrored or "Diamond" Ball that revolved while couple skating.
Many rinks copied concepts. But also some were the same because of the same owner/operator which usually a corporate that owned many rinks and had similar concepts. Like fast food restaurants would have in similar design.
Everything remains changes or the same. Many rinks do not update as much for years. I understand the cost. But some rinks did change. Thanks to COVID lockdowns, rinks were able to renovate while no skating. It was possible to do so.
Sadly many rinks I have seen are so beautiful and they are closed! Really gorgeous design. A few are shown below.