Remembering a piece of nostalgia – do you recognize this object?

Roller skating is a pastime that generations of kids and adults have enjoyed.

The first use of roller skates were said to be in a London stage performance as early as 1743, with John Joseph Merlin claiming the first skate invention while living in London in 1760.

They even featured during World War II when the U.S. had the idea of using them to move infantry around Europe to save gas – an idea that didn’t materialize.

In the U.S. they first became a popular pastime in 1935 and when skating rinks playing disco music were introduced in the 1970s the hobby became all the rage.

For those of a certain age you may remember those heavy metal skates that attached to your shoes and adjusted as your feet grew. But you may not remember a metal object that came with these skates that most skaters wore around their neck.

Images of the copper-colored object are being shared on social media sites with many taking a guess that it’s a bottle opener or some kind of tool.

It is in fact a skate key, and for those skating before the 1970s it was essential to anyone with roller skates.

Skates would be strapped to your shoe and the size could be adjusted using the skate key.

The key would fit into the back of the pair of skates and most people would wear the key around their neck so they wouldn’t lose it while skating.

Songs have even been written about this important piece of skating equipment.

Related Posts

He Hosted the Perfect Party—Then Turned It into a Public Divorce Announcement

After fifteen years of skipping holidays and family gatherings, my husband, Eric, surprised me by proposing a grand Fourth of July celebration. It was completely unlike him—he…

My Fourth of July Turned into a Babysitting Trap — So I Walked Away for Good

I thought spending the long weekend at the family ranch meant cold drinks, fireworks, and relaxing with my best friend, Casey. When Aunt Laura invited us, I…

A girl on the plane threw her hair over my seat, blocking my screen: I had to teach the rude woman a lesson

After days of hard work, I boarded a flight, craving peace and a good movie. But tranquility vanished when the young woman in front of me tossed…

The Ring You Pick!

They say jewelry speaks volumes about our personality, and rings, in particular, can reveal our deepest traits. Here’s a fun personality test based on the ring you’re…

Can an Optical Illusion

In the vast sea of social media content, memes, and viral posts, few topics intrigue people as much as quick, eye-catching “personality tests.” You might have scrolled…

How a Water Gun Battle Turned Neighbors into Friends

My boyfriend Zach and I recently moved into a peaceful neighborhood next to Sarah, a single mom with two boys. Initially, Sarah seemed friendly, but one sunny…