R. Hewson, Parlor Skate Patent Model #78207, May 26th, 1868
Several people contributed to the history of roller skates (also called 'parlor skates' for indoor use). They allegedly came to life in 18th c. Belgium and were perfected decades later in 19th c. Paris, London, and San Francesco. Robert Hewson's contribution to this fun new pastime was his invention of a parlor skate with improved wheels ("the axles are kept in place and in contact with the friction rollers by the straps or boxes in which they turn"); and his original model here was successfully patented in San Francisco, CA, on 26 May 1868. His version of the skate was constructed on top of two wheels (instead of 4 of 5 wheels popular in prior versions). His related legal documentation includes two signatures of witnesses plus the signature of his attorney who helped verify and validate his new design. After Hewson's contribution came the patented invention of the toe stop (1876) that led to the 1880s mass production of indoor skates and the creation of enormous roller rinks in the early days of the 20th c.