Roller skating has been a beloved pastime enjoyed by generations of kids and adults alike. It’s hard to believe that the first use of roller skates was in a London stage performance way back in 1743!
John Joseph Merlin, a London resident in 1760, deserves the credit for inventing the first skates. Roller skates have certainly come a long way since then!
In the United States, roller skating gained popularity as a pastime in 1935. But it wasn’t until the introduction of skating rinks playing disco music in the 1970s that roller skating became a huge trend. It seemed like everyone wanted to hit the rinks and groove to the music!
Speaking of roller skating, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Do you remember those heavy metal skates that you could attach to your shoes? They were quite the fashion statement back in the day. But there’s something else that you might remember if you were a skater before the 1970s – the iconic skate key.
This copper-colored object was an essential accessory for anyone with roller skates. At first glance, it may look like a bottle opener or some kind of tool, but it is actually a skate key. With the skate key, you could adjust the size of your skates by fitting it into the back of the pair. And to make sure they didn’t get lost while skating, most people wore the key around their necks. It was a small but significant part of the roller skating experience.
Skate keys were such an integral part of roller skating that there have even been songs written about them! They symbolize a time when roller skating was a cherished activity, filled with fun and memories.
So, do you remember skate keys? We’d love to hear your skating stories on our Facebook page. Let’s share this delightful blast from the past with others who may have fond memories of roller skating and skate keys too!
An 11-year-old tragically lost his life due to an online trend involving a common household item. Now, his grieving family is warning others about the dangers of this deadly challenge.
An 11-year-old boy, Tommie-Lee Billington from Lancaster, England, tragically passed away after participating in a dangerous TikTok challenge that involved inhaling harmful substances. The incident occurred during a sleepover at a friend’s house, where Tommie and his friend decided to try a viral trend they had seen on the app.
The challenge, known as “huffing,” involves inhaling toxic gases or solvents such as spray deodorant, glue, or dry shampoo to experience a temporary high. Unfortunately, as soon as Tommie inhaled the substance, his heart stopped, and despite immediate medical attention, he could not be revived. Doctors confirmed that he died instantly.
His grieving family is now speaking out, warning others about the hidden dangers of such social media trends. Tommie’s mother, Sherry, has taken to social media to raise awareness, urging parents to speak with their children about the deadly risks associated with these viral challenges.
In an emotional message on Facebook, Sherry expressed her deep pain and loss, writing, “This cost my son his life from trying something other kids are doing. Please talk to your children about the consequences of this. I have never felt pain like this. My whirlwind. My baby boy. You will forever be in my heart.”
Sherry’s heartfelt plea serves as a powerful reminder for parents to be vigilant about what their children are exposed to online. The family hopes that by sharing their story, they can prevent other families from enduring the same devastating loss and save lives by raising awareness of the dangers that lurk within seemingly harmless online challenges.
Sherry concluded her message by vowing to keep Tommie’s memory alive, saying, “I will make sure to the best of my ability that your name and your beautiful face will become the reason that other children’s lives will be saved, and other families don’t have to suffer this deep, deep hurt.”
Tommie-Lee’s death is not an isolated incident; it follows similar tragedies where other young people have lost their lives participating in dangerous online trends. His family’s warning is a sobering reminder of the potential harm that social media challenges can cause, and the need for open conversations between parents and children about the real risks of imitating what they see online.
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