1912 Watercolour Painting of a gentleman trying to roller skate

Title - Untitled
 
Date - 17/10/12 for 1912
 
Medium - Pen and Ink with Watercolour on paper
 
Signed - G. Woolas
 
Picture size - 15.5cm x 14.5cm / 6.25" x 5.75"
 
Outside frame size - 33cm x 28.5cm / 13.25" x 10.5"
 
Condition - Excellent
 
Frame - Antique Victorian / Edwardian oak picture frame with period glass
 
John Joseph Merlin from Belgium is credited with inventing Roller Skating when he introduced his new 'wheeled shoes' in London in 1735. They were adopted by artists in the theatre and in musical performances for the next 100 years but skating was only done in a straight line because their primitive design did not allow turning. In time technology improved their performance and 4 wheel turning was invented in 1863.
The general public's interest in skating increased as soon as they had control over the direction they wanted to travel and the first skating rinks were opened through the 1860's.
Roller Skates were mass produced from the 1880's and the Sport experienced it's first 'boom period' on both sides of the Atlantic.