Did He Really Invent the Ollie?
Hey skaters, did you know the truth about the Ollie? Learn if Rodney Mullen really invented it.
Source worklad.co.uk
Who Invented the Ollie?
The Origins of the Ollie
The ollie is one of the most iconic and recognizable tricks in skateboarding, and it has become an essential part of the sport. This trick involves popping the board into the air and jumping up with it. It was first seen in the 1970s, but its origins go back much further.
The origins of the ollie can be traced back to the 1940s and 1950s, when skateboarders were experimenting with new moves and tricks. Skaters had been jumping over obstacles and performing aerials, but they wanted to take their tricks to new heights.
It was during this time that skateboarders started to experiment with something called “sidewalk surfing.” They would ride their boards on the street and jump over obstacles, such as manhole covers and curbs. This led to the development of a new trick, known as the “kicktail.” This involved popping the tail of the board off the ground and jumping into the air with it.
Over time, skateboarders started to refine and perfect this trick. They began experimenting with the position of their feet on the board and the amount of force they used to pop the board into the air. These early innovations laid the foundation for what would become the ollie, a trick that would revolutionize skateboarding.
The Rodney Mullen Factor
While the origins of the ollie can be traced back to the 1940s and 1950s, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the trick truly evolved. This was thanks to one man, Rodney Mullen.
Mullen is widely credited with inventing the modern ollie. His modifications to the trick turned it into the versatile move we know today. Mullen’s innovation was to shift his weight to the back of the board while popping the tail, which allowed him to get even more lift and height. He also added a 180-degree turn to the trick, which made it even more impressive.
Mullen’s version of the ollie quickly caught on among the skateboarding community, and it became an essential part of the sport. It allowed skaters to jump onto and off of obstacles, perform tricks in mid-air, and more.
The Controversy Surrounding the Ollie’s Invention
While Mullen is often cited as the inventor of the ollie, some argue that other skateboarders had similar moves that predated Mullen’s contributions.
Alan “Ollie” Gelfand, for example, was performing a move called the “ollie air” as early as 1976. This move involved popping the board into the air without the use of the kicktail, much like the modern ollie.
Another skater, Bobby Burgess, also claims to have invented the ollie. Burgess says he came up with the move in the 1970s and that he showed it to many other skaters, including Mullen.
Despite the claims of Gelfand and Burgess, Mullen is widely recognized as the inventor of the modern ollie. His innovations and contributions to the trick helped turn it into the essential move that it is today.
Regardless of who invented the ollie, there is no denying its impact on skateboarding. This simple trick has become an essential part of the sport and continues to be a favorite among skaters around the world.
Want to learn about the history of farming technology? Check out our article on the first tractor ever developed!How the Ollie Revolutionized Skateboarding
The ollie is a skateboard trick that has changed the face of modern skateboarding. It is a jump that allows skateboarders to jump over obstacles and perform other tricks. The invention of the ollie has opened up new possibilities for skateboarding, making it a more exciting and challenging sport to watch and participate in.
Breaking Down Barriers
When Alan “Ollie” Gelfand first invented the ollie in the late 1970s, he did not realize that he was changing the future of skateboarding forever. With the ollie, skateboarders can now jump over fire hydrants, stair sets, and other obstacles that were otherwise impossible to overcome. This new trick opened up a whole world of possibilities for skateboarders and helped to break down barriers in the sport.
After Gelfand invented the ollie, skateboarders began to experiment with it, using it as a foundation for new and complex tricks. The ollie became a symbol of innovation in skateboarding, and soon, it was a trick that every skateboarder had to learn in order to stay competitive.
Becoming the Foundation of Street Skating
Thanks to its versatility, the ollie quickly became a cornerstone of street skating. Street skateboarding is different from other forms of skateboarding because it involves performing tricks on public spaces like sidewalks and streets, and often involves using the environment to perform tricks.
The ollie is now considered the foundation of street skating because it allows skateboarders to jump over obstacles like stairs, handrails, and curbs. The trick is now essential for most street skaters in order to land more complex tricks. In fact, some tricks like the kickflip, heelflip, and 360 flip would not have been possible without the foundation that the ollie provided.
The Ongoing Evolution of the Ollie
Decades after its invention, the ollie is still a key part of skateboarding culture. Skaters continue to innovate on the trick, pushing its boundaries and adding their own unique elements to it. The ollie is constantly evolving, and skateboarders continue to find new ways to use it in their tricks.
The ollie has come a long way since its invention in the late 1970s. It has revolutionized skateboarding and has become a staple of the sport. As the sport continues to evolve, it is likely that the ollie will continue to play a significant role in shaping its future.
Did you know that the history of video recording dates back further than you might think? Click here to learn more!
Post a Comment for "Did He Really Invent the Ollie?"