Skateboard

An authoritative chronicle of the design history of the skateboard, from its humble beginnings in the 1950s to the present day

From its starting point as a simple wooden plank to the high-tech boards of today, the skateboard has undergone a dramatic evolution. Skateboard explores its design, from the materials used to build it, to the shapes and sizes that have been innovative and popular over the years. Organized chronologically, Skateboard comprises important designs, documenting the technical evolution of the skateboard, as well as the influence that these objects had on the performance and culture of the sport. Packed with information and insights about the people and events that have shaped skateboarding, Skateboard features pro models of iconic skaters such as Laura Thornhill, Ray 'Bones' Rodriguez, Tony Hawk, Natas Kaupas, and Mike Vallely. With 300 photographs and illustrations - including many historic skateboard decks and equipment - this volume offers a comprehensive overview of the sport's key design milestones and developments.

‘Gorgeous.’ – Forbes  

‘Skateboard examines the fundamentality of its namesake device.’ – Vogue

‘Cover[s] everything from the first boards and videos right up to the modern day plank we all know and love—plus a few quirky, forgotten side quests in between.’ – Thrasher

‘ [A] marriage of counterculture and aesthetics.’ – HYPEBEAST

‘Converse skates through history with Phaidon.’ – The Face

Jonathan Olivares is an industrial designer. He established his Los Angeles-based practice in 2006 and his clients include Vitra, Knoll, and Kvadrat. Olivares s work has been published internationally, granted several design awards including Italy s Compasso d Oro and is included in the permanent design collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Los Angeles County Art Museum, and the Vitra Design Museum.

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