John Joseph Merlin Invented the Roller Skates. He Just Didn’t Know How To Stop…
In the 1760’s, a man named John Joseph Merlin is credited as the inventor of the roller skates. His invention would provide countless hours of entertainment to children all over the world. However, when he first invented them, there was just one little issue: he didn’t know how to stop. The original roller skates were four wheels attached to a metal plate, which people could strap onto whatever shoes they were wearing. But there were no brakes or stoppers. During a masquerade party, John Joseph Merlin decided it would be a good idea to play the violin while roller skating. Since he couldn’t stop, he ended up crashing into a large mirror that was worth £500. (After modern-day inflation, that’s closer to $100,000 in value.)