overall: 19 in x 4 1/4 in x 3 in; 48.26 cm x 10.795 cm x 7.62 cm
overall: 47 cm x 11.5 cm x 7.5 cm; 18 1/2 in x 4 17/32 in x 2 15/16 in
Object Name:
skateboard
Date made:
1964
Description (Brief):
Roller Derby #10 skateboard is one of the first mass produced skateboards used for recreation and sold in local drug and department stores throughout the U.S. in the mid 1960s. The donor, Jim Fitzpatrick, in his capacity as Executive Director of the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) used this board to lobby the California Senate to have skateboarding included in California's Hazardous Recreational Activities (HRA) list. The HRA list protects California cities and communities from liability when people engage in certain sports including tree climbing, basketball, spelunking and surfing. Fitzpatrick wanted skateboarding added to this list so that skate parks could be used without liability issues. In 1996, he brought this skateboard and three mail bags full of letters signed by skateboarders worldwide to lobby the California Senate. The skateboard proved the catalyst for change as many of the Senators connected with the skateboard that many had used or owned back in the day. According to the donor, in 1996 there were three public skate parks in the United States, today there are more than 2500.
