Sunday 4 May 2014

A Look Back...


Believe it or not, the rich history of the classic kick scooter dates back to about 100 years ago. The very first models were designed by kids looking for a faster way to get around, presented in the form of roller skate wheels attached to a plank of wood. The handle was made of a 2x4 and the handlebars were most likely made out of a pipe. This innovative new look at transportation was fun, easy, and made walking seem obsolete. Unfortunately the idea was outshined by different transportation methods coming out at the time such as the bike, but in 1990 it was brought back into relevance by William Oubouter. His younger sister had one leg that was shorter than the other, making it nearly impossible for her to ride a bike, but a scooter would be perfect for her. He built on the 100 year old idea and made a more efficient version. Wood was swapped out for a sturdier option, aluminum, by a company named Razor. Razor revolutionalized the scooter by making it in multiple colors and even for adults. Modern scooters are virtually silent unlike some past models. They can fold in half to take up very limited space, and they are increasing in popularity as people are using them to perform tricks. 

An early adaptation of the kick scooter

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