Letter: Early skateboard

Sir: I read that Andrew Baker, and perhaps many of your readers, are

interested to know of the earliest skateboard ("On the Boards", Magazine

19 October).

It seemed to me when I arrived in London in 1950 that the skateboard,

albeit in a primitive state, was already in general use by boys from nine

to 15 or so. It consisted of a short plank with two cross-pieces nailed

to it. On the four ends of the cross-pieces were fixed ball or roller

bearings discarded from old cars etc.

These contrivances made an ungodly rattle as they were propelled down

the pavements by their young owners.

MARTIN MOTTRAM

Salisbury, Wiltshire