Chicago Roller Skates

Originally invented in 1930 by Leo Saltzer the roller derby was first seen at Chicago Coliseum in 1935, where the skaters used an inclined skating surface to simulate a cross-country race watched by more than 20,000 spectators. When the craze for the dance competition was a marathon that tested the endurance of competitors over many, many hours of dancing. Marathon skating events at the moment could last an incredible length of time, sometimes several months with the staff full-time and full-time competitors.

The early years

Roller skating in Chicago marathons across the United States for many more cities with the track being dismantled and moved. Roller derby has remained in the cities for many months before moving on. Roller derby has evolved into a race between two teams of five members, one designated jammer "which aimed to turn members of the opposing team. Roller Derby was ahead of its time that women participated in the same conditions as men, a first for a team sport. The trail has changed over time with the elevation to be increased to forty-five degrees and the rails for added safety of competitors.

The first roller derby TV aired in the 1940s and was an immediate success. Over the next 20 years, the game became a contact sport with more body and similarities to American football. In the 60 women competitors were considered as models for independent women around the world. To accommodate the track basketball available, it has been modified to be more portable. At that time the sport's popularity was high with hundreds of ATA touring teams and compete anywhere in the United States.

The Decline of Roller Derby in the 1970s

From a peak in the 1960s the popularity declined sharply and was removed from the national television in the 70s. High gas prices and transportation costs have wreaked havoc. Many full-time employees and competitors have been dismissed. Roller Derby has continued for many miles, however part-time training course which has kept the sport alive. Several attempts to revive the sport have been launched during the 70s a few times with TV and the formation of the International League of roller skating, which lasted ten years. TV only shows were also staged including the Roller Jam Roller Games.

Roller Games was created in 1960 by a rival Seltzer Roller Derby League. It was a TV show and an interpretation of increasingly theatrical roller derby. The team's flagship Los Angeles T-Bird (Thunderbird) and lasted throughout the 70's 80's and 90's in the early years of the 21st century with its ups and downs in popularity.

Roller Jam was based on the original roller derby with skaters using mostly in-line skates and was broadcast from 1999 to 2001. He plays in a theatrical production which caused large part of many skaters who felt he should focus on the original concept of a skating competition to boycott the show.

Roller Derby Today

The sport has gained in popularity today with hundreds of heavily all teams competing girl across the United States. There are also mixed teams and even teams of all men.

Approximately 60 teams from all the girls are members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), which sets the rules for competition between leagues. Travel teams compete in regional games .. organizing WFTDA championships and published rankings of its members.

Old School Derby Association was formed in May 2007 and the promotion of sports among its members. The rules are based on early versions of Roller Derby, but also includes new rules to accommodate the rapid movement defensive play that exists today.

The sport is now in the world with leagues in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Sweden.