Skater Buds

In 1863, the four-wheeled turning roller skate, or quad roller skates, with four wheels set in two side-by-side pairs, was first designed, in New York City by James Leonard Plimpton in an attempt to improve upon previous designs, the skate contained a pivoting action using a rubber cushion that allowed the skater to skate a curve just by leaning to one side. It was a huge success, so much that the first public skating rink was opened in 1866 in Newport, Rhode Island with the support of Plimpton.

The design of the quad skate allowed easier turns and maneuverability, and the quad skate came to dominate the industry for more than a century.