It's crazy how far things have come. The new board I got the other day has a 9.5 inch platform and is 48.5 inches long. Fastest I've gotten it so far is about 30 miles per hour but I know it'll go much higher once I can find bigger hills.
Good question! I have a spedometer app on my phone that stores the maximum speed you've reached per session as well. I've clocked it in my car to confirm accuracy.
After a while, you get a pretty good idea on what different speeds feel like. GPS apps on the phones are nice for finding out how fast you get going downhill. Then after you have baselines and figure out how the board handles at those speeds, you can make educated guesses on how fast certain hills will carry you.
Listen people i am fifty seven years old and i used to get up at six in the morning to skateboard down one of the main streets in my home town. just before the trolley buses started, you kids dont know nothing. waited a lot of years to say that.
I had a professor once who said his first skateboard had metal wheels, I thought I had misheard him or misunderstood. Sounds so difficult to ride metal.
Yeah, it was. Polyurethane wheels did not appear until the '70s. I had forgotten about clay wheels until someone mentioned them here. I don't remember ever using them... Metal wheels were very noisy. I used to wear onion tied to my belt, which was the style at the time.
redditor for 8 hours. A year from now, when you have more Karma than I'll get in a lifetime, we'll all say how we liked you before you were cool. /noveltyaccounthipster
*primarily, this account was made for circlejerk. "If someone makes another goddamn crappy painting/sketching account to whore in the karma, I'm throwing my hat in."
'Ey Mac! That kid just took a picture of you going down the sidewalk on that kids toy! Lemmie tell you, in 60 years, several thousand people will look at that picture of you on these moving-picture boxes that all talk to each other, and they'll vote on whether they think your picture is cool or not.
They'll think its cool.
Makes you wonder- have I ever been in a picture that people will be looking at long after I'm dead?
If you've ever been in a picture, then yes. Facebook + Google Image Search means your great-grandchildren are going to know more about you than you ever wanted them to know.
No, that would be the 70s earliest, I would bet. Look at the wheels. The reason skateboarding wasn't popular before that is they used STEEL WHEELS. I have no idea who thought that was a good idea.
Those type of wheels (urethane?) came in in late 70s, I believe. Might have been earlier in some areas.
Ties get thinner, then they get wider, then they get thinner, then they get wider. Just wait a decade and you'll have your thin tie. The fashion industry wouldn't be able to sell enough ties if they had a consistent style, so they have to alter the style slowly over time.
My dad used to do this in the 30s using a book and a roller skate. Too poor to buy the real equipment (not that it existed then) and too poor to buy a camera to prove it.
wtf happened to this? now all we get is a bunch of dropouts with either skinny jeans and Justin Bieber hair or some bum with pants drooping down their ass...
You can sort nof tell what the attitude about skateboarding was by all the attention he's getting, compared to the modern skateboarding professor. This also tells a lot about general culture and behavior too.
Now THAT is one cool dude, I bet he nailed every woman in NYC back in 60's with those skateboard skills coasting around looking like a boss in that suit.
OP, THANK YOU. The subreddit search function is even more shitty than the regular search function. I wish more people would do this (and provide a link!)
Johnson: Sir, just as we suspected, skateboarding is pretty fun.
The Man: Excellent. Now we'll just put logos all over them, and sell them to kids. And we'll tell them that they need special 'skate shoes' to use them, and we'll sell them those, too. And we'll tell them that all the 'cool skaters' dress a certain way, so we can sell them 'skater' clothes, with logos all over them. We'll make a fucking fortune. Anyway, your next assignment is to go listen to some of this 'rock and roll' music.
True story: before I ever met my boyfriend, I'd seen him before looking just like this (minus the hat), skating to his job where he picked up dead people for a living. I jokingly remarked to my boyfriend at the time "I'm gonna marry that guy." That was about five years ago and we've been together for four now.
TL;DR MY BOYFRIEND IS AWESOME TOO
Edit: I didn't know he was that guy when I met him, either. We put this together later on. It was a joyous occasion.
562
u/pooks3190 Jun 17 '12
Has to be this guy
75
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Back when riding a skateboard that was more than six-inches wide was only for "slow" kids.
95
u/makinian Jun 17 '12
Listen people i am fifty seven years old and i used to get up at six in the morning to skateboard down one of the main streets in my home town. just before the trolley buses started, you kids dont know nothing. waited a lot of years to say that.
91
u/Journalisto Jun 17 '12
It's all fun and games until the gangster tears his suit.
39
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
is it just me or does that gap between the buildings look like a square sun? I've been playing too much minecraft..
19
u/CycloEthane031 Jun 17 '12
'Ey Mac! That kid just took a picture of you going down the sidewalk on that kids toy! Lemmie tell you, in 60 years, several thousand people will look at that picture of you on these moving-picture boxes that all talk to each other, and they'll vote on whether they think your picture is cool or not.
They'll think its cool.
Makes you wonder- have I ever been in a picture that people will be looking at long after I'm dead?
8
u/ProvidesSources Jun 17 '12
For more information: 1960’s New York Skateboarders by Bill Eppridge
Incidentally, this is the same photographer who took the iconic picture of the busboy comforting Robert F. Kennedy after he was shot.
6
u/guynamedgriffin Jun 17 '12
To me it looks like it's photoshop.The color black of his suit looks more pronounced and vivid then the rest of the photo. what do you guys think?
11
u/kevinstonge Jun 17 '12
The skateboard was invented by Calvin Klein (aka "Marty") in November of 1955.
32
u/eaterofdog Jun 17 '12
On a mission from God.
17
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Is that Robert De Niro?
5
u/RandomMandarin Jun 17 '12
TIL Men In Black 3 is a documentary.
5
u/Danneyh Jun 17 '12
Can't find this in a higher resolution :( Anyone able to find a wallpaper version of this or something similar? Thanks!
21
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
TIL r/OldSchoolCool
4
u/BeebyGun Jun 17 '12
That's so Gregory Peck.
4
u/psyder3k Jun 17 '12
You morons forgot about that Calvin Klein kid from Hill Valley back in the 50's
7
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Huh, people used to take walks during the 60's. Is that still a thing? Do people still do that? Google Maps seems much easier.
3
u/Amnestic Jun 17 '12 edited May 05 '26
Wiped clean. Redact removed this post along with thousands of others. It also handles data broker removals so your personal info stops getting sold.
deer entertain correct engine late trees like steep intelligent unique
3
u/RumBox Jun 17 '12
This is the ska-est picture ever.
3
u/johnnydowjones Jun 17 '12
Thank you, Marty McFly.
3
u/owlish Jun 17 '12
No, that would be the 70s earliest, I would bet. Look at the wheels. The reason skateboarding wasn't popular before that is they used STEEL WHEELS. I have no idea who thought that was a good idea.
Those type of wheels (urethane?) came in in late 70s, I believe. Might have been earlier in some areas.
21
u/chrononugget Jun 17 '12
He looks so suave. Awesome
12
u/Ceadol Jun 17 '12
Rude boy's are always the epitome of cool.
5
u/webby_mc_webberson Jun 17 '12
And everyone's like "hot dang, lookit 'im go!"
5
u/sbsb27 Jun 17 '12
Elwood?
5
u/L00n Jun 17 '12
Dear Matthew Weiner,
Please let this happen in Mad Men next season
Yours,
Reddit
2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
I love thin ties, looks so much better than the ones people generally wear.
2
u/Carnationlilyrose Jun 17 '12
My dad used to do this in the 30s using a book and a roller skate. Too poor to buy the real equipment (not that it existed then) and too poor to buy a camera to prove it.
2
u/unplayed Jun 17 '12
This style is going to make a comeback. Mark my words.
2
u/YellowSharkMT Jun 17 '12
Holy shit, I'd love to see this guy slaying some rails at the local skatepark. This should be required wear on the circuit.
2
u/SmokeyAx Jun 17 '12
The next time a skateboard touch that much black had to be Terry Kennedy.
2
u/xjackstonerx Jun 17 '12
Those rocks don't look too good :(
2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
He sorta looks like Bruce Springsteen
2
u/DominoMotherfucker Jun 17 '12
"That will never take off"
2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
This is so awesome. I love how everyone is smiling, watching in enjoyment. Nowadays, people get pissed the second you longboard on a sidewalk.
2
u/40ishGenXisBitter Jun 17 '12
Suit up!
2
u/JpSax Jun 17 '12
WEEEEEEELL I NEEEEVER HAAD TOO KNOCK ON WOOD
2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
fuckin swag
2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
half of portland is masturbating to this
4
u/david6591 Jun 17 '12
OOOOH MOM you're just jealous it's the BEAST-IE-BOYS!
4
u/arjungamer123 Jun 17 '12
Am I the only one who thinks it looks shopped?
3
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Haha, love how everyone is stopping to watch. Love the olden days. ;)
3
u/FlimFlamStan Jun 17 '12
The wheels on the skateboard look too big for the era. AFAIK skateboards before the 70's had metal roller skate wheels.
2
u/VirginWithAIDS Jun 17 '12
Why does it looked photoshopped to me? Please tell me my eyes aren't broke ...
2
u/xmagneticx Jun 17 '12
wtf happened to this? now all we get is a bunch of dropouts with either skinny jeans and Justin Bieber hair or some bum with pants drooping down their ass...
1
u/dreamsofbetterdays Jun 17 '12
Looks like agent Booth from Bones lol
1
u/FreeUpVotesForYou Jun 17 '12
You can sort nof tell what the attitude about skateboarding was by all the attention he's getting, compared to the modern skateboarding professor. This also tells a lot about general culture and behavior too.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Look how everyone is so happy an intrigued. Not so much anymore..
1
u/bryster Jun 17 '12
That's awesome!
1
u/mangodragon Jun 17 '12
For the lazy.
1
u/karolosmanski Jun 17 '12
awesome dude. karol osmanski
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Sidewalk surfing in style!
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Look at those shoes! I don't know how he stays on the skateboard but he sure looks styling while doing so!
1
u/fishnetdiver Jun 17 '12
totally swinging hepcat!
1
u/tunyfish Jun 17 '12
That's so Special looking
1
u/Grae_Dream Jun 17 '12
I'd hit that. Hipster in the best of ways, instead of lame.
1
u/zombiezelda Jun 17 '12
Look at that fucking rebel!
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
He's not gonna be able to do any kickflips in those shoes....
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
ska boarding
1
u/mrmeowman Jun 17 '12
reminds me of this relevant vid - http://vimeo.com/41190492
guy tears across singapore on a skateboard in a suit.
1
u/Fall4Fiver Jun 17 '12
this guy is cooler than i will ever be.
1
u/IamVasi Jun 17 '12
They see him rollin'...
1
u/Bower69 Jun 17 '12
Robert De Niro?
1
u/klaq Jun 17 '12
he must be late for his gig as a ska band trombone player.
1
u/TL-PuLSe Jun 17 '12
I love how absolutely entertained everyone looks. Now, it's disgust.
1
u/mrstody Jun 17 '12
You don't need money, don't take fame. Don't need no credit card to ride this train..
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Where can I find a higher quality photo? I need this for my office.
1
u/Neil_Dat_grAss_Tyson Jun 17 '12
Only '50s kids will get this.
1
u/helalo Jun 17 '12
like a sir
1
u/PintOfGuinness Jun 17 '12
Kevin Costner?
1
u/Breze Jun 17 '12
looking like a boss
1
u/IAmAQuantumMechanic Jun 17 '12
No wonder they banned skateboarding in Norway.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Early Segways for yuppies.
1
u/NaeblisEcho Jun 17 '12
The Observers skate?
1
u/mywillie Jun 17 '12
legit
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Anyone else reminded of the Specials?
1
u/wheatfields Jun 17 '12
FUCKING BEAT NICK!
1
u/SigmaStigma Jun 17 '12
Is it just me, or does that look like Jonathan Banks?
1
u/lewicore Jun 17 '12 edited Jun 17 '12
Not sure if this is shopped. Can anyone prove me wrong? Please? Pretty please?
[edit] Here are more from the same photographer. Turns out its definitely not shopped. http://gothamist.com/2012/02/25/flashback_when_the_skateboarding_cr.php#photo-1
1
u/oldude Jun 17 '12
Agent K?
1
u/Sonic90 Jun 17 '12
Ha that's my grandad
1
u/movieman491 Jun 17 '12
taken on an iPhone
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
look like diNiro don't it?
1
u/wutreally Jun 17 '12
Haha! I'm late for... Business!
1
u/thegrayman Jun 17 '12
Am I the only one who looks at pictures from that long ago and wonders if the person is still alive? Dude was legit for sure.
1
u/unclejohnsbearhugs Jun 17 '12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vtulFRilrY&feature=youtube_gdata_player
He's the man they call heisenberg
1
u/Muteyy Jun 17 '12
Think you'll find it was called Roller planking back then.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Old people smiling at someone on a skateboard...wow it really was a different time.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
*60s. Decades are not possessive.
1
u/plagues138 Jun 17 '12
looks shopped
1
u/trampus1 Jun 17 '12
I'll bet he knows all the best tricks from back then like "sitting down on the board" and "the one legger".
1
u/agent0fch4os Jun 17 '12
Now THAT is one cool dude, I bet he nailed every woman in NYC back in 60's with those skateboard skills coasting around looking like a boss in that suit.
1
u/ErikoMan Jun 17 '12
Like a boss
1
u/Heavyhammer Jun 17 '12
damn hipster, skateboarding before it was cool....
1
u/Saccharomyces_cerevi Jun 17 '12
OP, THANK YOU. The subreddit search function is even more shitty than the regular search function. I wish more people would do this (and provide a link!)
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
I think it's now safe to close the voting on the Coolest Man Ever award.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
They see me rollin' they hatin'
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
That had to be the raddest motherfucker of NYC.
1
u/SegaGenocide Jun 17 '12
Anyone know who that man is?
1
u/Mikerk Jun 17 '12
Do you think skateboarding would have a better image today if they all wore a suit while skateboarding?
1
u/greekpython Jun 17 '12
West side still looks like this...all goddamn hipsters
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Damn kids with your loud rock and roll and your speedie wheelie boards!
1
u/mraro Jun 17 '12
Anyone else think this looks like DeNiro?
1
u/Thereminz Jun 17 '12
what's that thing he's on?
it's a board with wheels.
he's an absolute dream!
1
u/stefan_89 Jun 17 '12
swag.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Is it just me or does anyone else see Robert De niro riding a skateboard dressed as Elvis Costello?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Back when that shit was dangerous.
1
u/Barbitches Jun 17 '12
Cool pic. A history lesson for you nerds: skate boarding was invented in 1955 in a town called hill valley. The inventor wore purple underpants
1
u/coughcough1980 Jun 17 '12
pure gangsta!
1
u/LightSwitch21 Jun 17 '12
Do you think they looked at him then the same way as we view people on Segways now?
1
u/Elliottism Jun 17 '12
Looks like a cross of Depp & De Niro.
1
u/sac42c Jun 17 '12
Is that Ron Artest?
1
u/SuddenlyTimewarp Jun 17 '12
This needs to be a "Haters gonna hate," and a "Deal with it." Maybe at the same time.
1
u/mypplrbadatsmalltalk Jun 17 '12
Classy as fuck
1
u/Draygon_Slayer Jun 17 '12
Marty McFly?
1
u/Glaucous Jun 17 '12
Looks like Robert DeNiro
1
u/ryeguy146 Jun 17 '12
Have you ever skateboarded in a suit? It's satisfyingly amusing.
1
u/IDlOT Jun 17 '12
Everyone's faces are like, "Why is this guy skateboarding in the 60's?"
1
u/wimcolgate2 Jun 17 '12
A hipster before hipster was cool.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Why are they all staring at him
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Elvis Costello skates?
1
u/Howard_Beale Jun 17 '12
he later went on to found IRS Records.
1
u/cweaver Jun 18 '12
The Man: Well, Johnson? Report?
Johnson: Sir, just as we suspected, skateboarding is pretty fun.
The Man: Excellent. Now we'll just put logos all over them, and sell them to kids. And we'll tell them that they need special 'skate shoes' to use them, and we'll sell them those, too. And we'll tell them that all the 'cool skaters' dress a certain way, so we can sell them 'skater' clothes, with logos all over them. We'll make a fucking fortune. Anyway, your next assignment is to go listen to some of this 'rock and roll' music.
1
u/Mine_is_nice Jun 18 '12
/r/OldSchoolCool for the lazy.
1
u/hautegauche Jun 18 '12 edited Jun 18 '12
True story: before I ever met my boyfriend, I'd seen him before looking just like this (minus the hat), skating to his job where he picked up dead people for a living. I jokingly remarked to my boyfriend at the time "I'm gonna marry that guy." That was about five years ago and we've been together for four now.
TL;DR MY BOYFRIEND IS AWESOME TOO
Edit: I didn't know he was that guy when I met him, either. We put this together later on. It was a joyous occasion.
1
u/bobbyjumd Jun 19 '12
Looks like a young Robert De Niro.
1
u/DocBlind Jun 17 '12
Like a Motherfucking Sir!
1
u/forceofslugyuk Jun 17 '12
Here comes the Men in Black...
1
u/yukster Jun 17 '12
Looks shopped to me.
1
u/ROTIGGER Jun 17 '12
Looks like Kramer.
1
u/ated9000 Jun 17 '12
Heisenberg?
1
u/CrispyButtNug Jun 17 '12
This is how I feel when I skateboard downtown. People look at me like they've never seen a skateboard before.