Makaha skateboard used by Jim Fitzpatrick in 1964

Makaha skateboard used by Jim Fitzpatrick in 1964

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Description (Brief)
Makaha skateboard used by Jim Fitzpatrick in 1964 after he returned from a tour of a dozen European countries where he skateboarded as often as he could. Fitzpatrick was recruited by Makaha founder Larry Stevenson, for the Makaha Skateboard Exhibition Team at 14. According to the donor, Larry Stevenson developed Makaha Skateboards in the early 1960s in Santa Monica, California producing the first "high performance" skateboard in 1962. Stevenson would ask the skateboarders, such as Fitzpatrick, what they thought of the boards, how did they ride, how could they be improved - he listened and developed the best board at the time. In addition to Fitzpatrick’s unique trek to Europe, the Makaha team skateboarders traveled together and individually throughout Southern California, and even to Hawaii on one memorable trip, introducing spectators to skateboarding.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
skateboard
date made
1964
user
Fitzpatrick, James
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
urethane (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 4 in x 5 3/4 in x 22 in; 10.16 cm x 14.605 cm x 55.88 cm
ID Number
2018.0269.01
accession number
2018.0269
catalog number
2018.0269.01
subject
skateboarding
Professional
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
Sports & Leisure
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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