Skateboarding began in California in the 1950s. The first skateboards consisted of roller skates attached to a board. Skateboarding gained popularity through surfing: in fact, skateboarding was originally called "sidewalk surfing". The very first skateboards were handmade by individuals from wooden crates and boards. Companies began manufacturing skateboards in 1959 as the sport grew in popularity.
In post-war America, society lived a carefree life and children often played on the streets. Skateboarding is a highly individualised activity that is constantly evolving. Since the year 2000, skateboarding has gone mainstream due to media attention and products such as skateboard video games, children's skateboards and commercialisation. As more interest and more money has been invested in skateboarding, more skateparks and better skateboards have become available. In addition, the continued interest has motivated skateboard companies to continue to innovate and invent new things.
Skateboarding first appeared at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
"For me, photography feels like really capturing the moment - like a kind of alchemy where time is physically captured."
Silva Wischeropp was born in the Hanseatic city of Wismar in the former GDR. Today she lives and works in Berlin. As a passionate travel..
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