Here is a brief look at the evolution of skateboard wheels. The skateboard wheels where pretty basic in 50’s as they where just steel wheels taken of roller skates, then after realizing how poorly those handled the clay wheel came out in the 60’s. Skateboard wheel makers realized that clay didn’t handle much better than steel and came out with the urethane wheel which is what is currently being used today. Here is a brief look at how the skateboard wheel has evolved from the 50’s to the 90’s .. to be continued.

Let’s take a brief look at the interesting evolution of skateboard wheels. Back in the 50’s, skateboard wheels were pretty basic. The wheels, which were made of solid steel, were taken from roller skates and nailed to two-by-fours. After realizing how poorly these steel wheels handled, manufacturers began using a clay wheel. The clay wheel was introduced in the 60’s. Skateboard wheel manufacturers then realized that clay, although an improvement from the steel skateboard wheel, did not offer a significant handling improvement. There was need for yet another material. That’s where urethane came into play. The urethane skateboard wheel, introduced in the 1970’s, is still being used today. Here’s a brief look at how the skateboard wheel has evolved from the 50’s to the 90’s.