| Originally invented in the 1930's by Leo Saltzer the | | | | were laid off. Roller derby continued however with |
| very first roller derby was seen in Chicago at the | | | | many part time leagues being formed who kept the |
| Coliseum in 1935 where roller skaters used a banked | | | | sport very much alive. Several attempts to revive |
| skating surface to simulate a cross country race | | | | the sport were launched throughout the 70's with |
| watched by more than 20,000 spectators. At the | | | | some TV revivals and the formation of the |
| time the craze was for marathon dance competitions | | | | International Roller Skating League which lasted for |
| which tested the endurance of the competitors over | | | | ten years. TV only spectacles were also staged |
| many, many hours of dancing. Marathon roller skating | | | | including the Roller Jam and the Roller Games. |
| events at the time could last an unbelievable length | | | | Roller Games was created in the 1960's by a rival of |
| of time, sometimes many months with full time staff | | | | Seltzer's Roller Derby league. It was a televised |
| and full time competitors. | | | | spectacle and an increasingly theatrical interpretation |
| The Early Years | | | | of roller derby. The flagship team was the Los |
| From Chicago roller skating marathons spread out | | | | Angeles T-birds (Thunderbirds) and lasted through |
| across the United States to many more cities with | | | | the 70's 80's and 90's into the early years of the 21st |
| the track being dismantled and moved. The roller | | | | century with many ups and downs in popularity. |
| derby stayed in cities for many months before | | | | Roller Jam was based on the original roller derby with |
| moving on. The roller derby evolved into a race | | | | skaters mainly using in line roller skates and was |
| between two teams with five members, one | | | | televised from 1999 - 2001. It evolves into a largely |
| designated the 'jammer' who aimed to lap the | | | | theatrical production which caused many skaters who |
| opposing team members. Roller derby was ahead of | | | | felt that it should be focused on the original concept |
| it's time as women competed on the same terms as | | | | of a skating competition to boycott the show. |
| men, a first for any team sport. The track changed | | | | Roller Derby Today |
| over time with the elevation being raised to forty | | | | The sport has increased in popularity today with |
| five degrees and rails added for the safety of the | | | | many hundreds of largely all girl teams competing |
| competitors. | | | | across the US. There are also some mixed teams |
| The first televised roller derby was broadcast in the | | | | and even some all male teams. |
| 1940's and was instantly a hit. Over the next 20 | | | | About 60 all girl teams are members of the Women's |
| years the game evolved into a sport with more body | | | | Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) which sets |
| contact and similarities to American football. In the | | | | the rules for competitions between leagues. Travel |
| 60's the women competitors were seen as role | | | | teams compete in regional matches.. the WFTDA |
| models for independent women throughout the | | | | organises championships and publishes rankings of it's |
| world. In order to accommodate the track in available | | | | members. |
| basketball courts it was modified to be more | | | | The Old school Derby Association was formed in May |
| portable. At this time the popularity of the sport was | | | | 2007 and promotes the sport among it's members. |
| a t a high with hundreds of teams touring and | | | | The rules are based on the early versions of Roller |
| competing all over the US. | | | | Derby but also incorporates newer rules to |
| The Decline in Roller Derby in the 1970's | | | | accommodate the fast moving defensive game that |
| From a high in the 1960's the popularity sharply | | | | exists today. |
| declines and was dropped from national television in | | | | The sport is now worldwide with leagues in the UK, |
| the 70's. High gas prices and transport costs took | | | | New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland, |
| their toll. Many of the full time staff and competitors | | | | Canada and Germany. |