Levant Marvin Richardson (USA) brought the traditional roller skates to perfection
Levant Marvin Richardson (USA) is the founder of Richardson Ball Bearing and Skate Company. Like many manufacturers of his time, he contributed an important part to improving the technology of roller skates...
Par Vernon SULLIVAN
Richardson Ball Bearing and Skate Company : 1898 – ?
Richardson Ball Bearing and Skate Company: 1898 -?
Levant Marvin Richardson (1853-1918) is originally from Chicago, Illinois. His roller skates, as well as his company, were originated in his native city.
The innovations and improvements of Richardson
In 1884 Levant M. Richardson received a patent for the use of steel balls for a lower friction. So the rolling became more even. He also overtook Plimpton, who was already making a huge profit by selling his roller skates.
Richardson used caoutchouc to make roller skating more comfortable. He also used wood from Persia and Turkey. As a small anecdote: the price has risen from $ 30 to $ 120 a ton due to the huge demand in the era!
In 1898 Richardson founded his Richardson Ball Bearing and Skate Company.
The enthusiasm of the interns
Richardson’s models were one of the most used in the American skating-rinks. You’ll find them in the convention hall in Kansas City, the Chicago Coliseum, the Mechanics’ Pavilion in San Francisco… They also outfitted most of the professional roller skaters of that time.
The patents of Richardson
• Patent 308,990 (December 9, 1884)
• Patent 11,747 (1909)
